Congo at a Crossroads: Is Félix Tshisekedi a Good Leader?

Congo at a Crossroads: Is Félix Tshisekedi a Good Leader?

Lately, I’ve found myself caught between two perspectives. On one hand, my dad praises President Félix Tshisekedi, convinced that he is doing good things for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He watches independent Congolese journalists who report on the country’s affairs, most of whom speak French. On the other hand, I find myself struggling to see what my dad sees. Am I being overly critical? Is he blinded by the few things Tshisekedi has done right? Or is the truth somewhere in between?

The Reality in Congo Right Now

Congo is facing multiple crises. Just recently, I came across reports of:

A Mutant Mpox Outbreak – A new, highly contagious strain of the Clade 1a mpox virus is spreading, with severe symptoms and a high fatality rate.

A Mysterious Deadly Illness – Over 60 deaths have been reported due to an unidentified illness with Ebola-like symptoms, but the response has been slow due to a lack of funding.

Escalating Conflict in Eastern DRC – The M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have taken over major cities like Goma and Bukavu. A recent explosion in Bukavu killed 17 people, worsening an already volatile situation.

Environmental Damage – Chinese-operated gold mining in protected areas is destroying the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This is not the picture of a stable country. So, what is President Félix Tshisekedi doing about it?

Tshisekedi’s Response: Progress or Failure?

From what I’ve gathered, Tshisekedi is:

Pushing for a new constitution that he claims will give more power to the people.

Continuing military operations with Uganda to fight the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Making diplomatic moves, but facing challenges in handling the ongoing conflict.

Some people, like my dad, see these as signs of progress. Others, including many independent journalists, argue that his leadership has been weak and reactive rather than strategic.

Why This Blog?

One thing I struggle with is accessing the perspectives of Congolese independent journalists because most of them speak French and deep Lingala. I know I’m not the only one. Many younger Congolese, especially those in the diaspora, might not be fluent in French but still want to stay informed.

So, I’m starting this blog to break down what’s happening in the DRC, in English, with an open mind. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I want to explore both sides—what Tshisekedi is doing right and where he’s failing.

Is he truly leading Congo in the right direction? Or are people, like my dad, just seeing a few good moves and ignoring the bigger picture?

I’ll be diving deeper into this in future posts, so stay tuned. Let’s figure this out together. 🇨🇩✊🏿

Reference:

1. President Félix Tshisekedi Addressing the Nation:

Photographer/Source: Specific photographers for these images are not directly mentioned in the provided sources. However, reputable news outlets such as Reuters and The Guardian have covered President Tshisekedi's public appearances.

Source: Reuters

2. M23 Rebels in Eastern DRC:

Photographer/Source: Arlette Bashizi, a Congolese photographer, documented the events leading up to and following the M23 rebels' capture of Goma.

Source: The Guardian

Credit Line Suggestion: "Photo by Arlette Bashizi, as featured in The Guardian."

3. Humanitarian Crisis Imagery:

Photographer/Source: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, a British photographer, has captured striking images of civilians displaced by conflict in the DRC.

Source: RFI

Credit Line Suggestion: "Photograph by Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, via RFI."

Zimbabwe: When Will African Leaders Finally Wake Up?

Zimbabwe: When Will African Leaders Finally Wake Up?

Zimbabwe. A country that was once the breadbasket of Africa is now the face of struggle. You know things are bad when people have to export bread—yes, bread—from South Africa just so their families back home can eat. Imagine that. You’re in a country so economically wrecked that even the basics, like a simple loaf of bread, are a luxury.

And let’s be honest, this didn’t just happen overnight. Zimbabwe has been on a downward spiral for years. Who do we thank for this? Robert Mugabe, of course. Now, before you come at me, let’s talk facts. The man made one of the biggest mistakes in leadership history—chasing away white farmers without training his own people first. Like, you don’t just wake up one day and fire your entire cooking staff before teaching someone how to make a pot of rice. That’s exactly what Mugabe did with Zimbabwe’s land reform. He took the land but didn’t prepare his people to sustain it. And now? The country is starving.

         [ate and Former president of Zimbabwe: Robert Mugabe]

Mugabe’s family is filthy rich. They can hop on a plane, live in mansions, and do whatever they want while ordinary Zimbabweans are drowning in poverty. Retirement money is useless, salaries are a joke, and prices are so high that people are out here calculating their worth in eggs instead of dollars.

         [  Late and former president of Zimbabwe and his family ]

And here’s what frustrates me the most—African leaders are still not learning. They see what’s happening, but they continue making the same mistakes. Meanwhile, leaders like Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso are showing what real change looks like, yet the rest of the continent is out here acting like it’s none of their business. Wake up! South Africa literally got its aid funds cut off by the USA, but it’s like our leaders are in deep sleep.

        [ President Ibrahim Traore ]

And let’s address the elephant in the room—Africa’s wealth is not benefiting Africans. Our resources? Oh, best believe they are feeding the world. Europe, America, even China—none of these places would be where they are today without Africa’s natural wealth. It’s not even a conspiracy; it’s just history. But what do our leaders do? They sell us out for a quick paycheck and luxury lifestyles, while we, the people, are left to suffer.

It’s greed, it’s ignorance, it’s pure negligence. And at this point, I wouldn’t even be surprised if some big foreign power just swoops in and takes over again—because let’s be real, some of these leaders are running their countries so badly that an outsider could probably do a better job. And that’s a painful thing to admit.

So, when will Africa’s leaders actually put their people first? When will they stop chasing personal wealth and start building sustainable nations? Because if they don’t wake up soon, we’ll be having this same conversation ten years from now, only this time, the situation might be even worse.

This is Lili Phedra—my perspective, my reflection, and my frustration.

Africa shall rise again!

Sources:

1. Zimbabwe’s Economic Crisis and Mugabe's Land Reforms:

"Zimbabwe’s Economic Crisis: What Went Wrong?" – BBC News

Link: BBC News

2. The Impact of Land Reform on Zimbabwe’s Economy:

"The Impact of Land Reform on the Zimbabwean Economy" – Journal of Southern African Studies

Link: Taylor & Francis Online

3. Poverty in Zimbabwe and Food Shortages:

"Zimbabwe: The Struggle for Survival in the Face of Food Insecurity" – Al Jazeera

Link: Al Jazeera

4. Zimbabwe's Current Economic Struggles and Inflation:

"Zimbabwe: A Nation Battling Hyperinflation and Hunger" – The Guardian

Link: The Guardian

5. Mugabe's Legacy and Corruption:

"Robert Mugabe’s Legacy: A Timeline of a Troubled Rule" – Reuters

Link: Reuters

6. The Importance of African Leadership Learning from Mistakes:

"Why Africa Must Learn from Its Mistakes" – The Conversation

Link: The Conversation

7. Burkina Faso's Political Movements and African Leadership:

"Burkina Faso’s President Pushes for African Self-Sufficiency" – Africa News

Link: Africa News

Disclaimer:

Images used are solely used for educational purposes and nothing else.

Congo is Falling Apart, and No One in Power Cares

Congo is Falling Apart, and No One in Power Cares

I swear, this is insane. Every day, new reports come in about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and it just feels like those in power either don’t care or are completely useless. The country is crumbling—people are dying, soldiers are being executed, and cities are falling to rebels—and yet, all I see from President Félix Tshisekedi and the so-called leadership is either silence or actions that make things worse.

The Soldiers: Does Tshisekedi Have a Backup Plan?

Let's talk about the Congolese army. We all know it’s been weak for years—poorly trained, poorly paid, and full of corruption. But now, after M23 took Goma and Bukavu, things have gone from bad to worse.

Over 300 Congolese soldiers were put on trial, and more than 260 received the death penalty for crimes like desertion, rape, and murder. (Reuters)

During a chaotic retreat from the rebels, some soldiers reportedly fired on civilians instead of protecting them. (The Guardian)

And look, I’m not excusing the crimes these soldiers committed—rape and murder are inexcusable. But does Tshisekedi realize that he’s executing or imprisoning his own army while the enemy keeps advancing?

Who is going to fight M23? Who is going to take back Goma and Bukavu? If soldiers are deserting, running away, and even rebelling, shouldn’t the government be asking why? Instead, it’s like they think punishing them will magically fix everything. It won’t. If you remove soldiers without a backup plan, you’re basically handing the rebels the country on a silver platter.

The Mayor: They Have Money, But They Do Nothing

    [As of January 2023, Zénon Karumba    serves as the mayor of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Prior to him, Bilubi Ulengabo Méschac held the position. Recent reports indicate that the M23 rebels have seized control of Bukavu and plan to appoint their own mayor for the city.]

And then we have the mayor of Bukavu. This mayor is sitting in power while the citiy is burning. But instead of protecting the most vulnerable—street kids who have nowhere to go, orphans left behind by war—he send out a document telling them to leave or face death.

Authorities in Goma reportedly issued a warning to street children to "disappear" from the streets, despite the rising threats from M23.

Instead of setting up shelters or calling on non-profits for help, they are abandoning these children to war. (The Guardian)

But here’s the thing that really gets to me: these mayors have money. They have the resources to do something. Even if they didn’t, they could at least call on NGOs, international organizations, or even Congolese people abroad to help. But no. The ones who have the power to fix things refuse to lift a finger, while ordinary Congolese citizens overseas are the ones trying to help.

M23 is Targeting Street Kids, and No One Cares

While the leadership sits on their hands, M23 is actively targeting street kids. Reports indicate that the rebels are hunting down children who were left behind while others fled.

M23 has been accused of using child soldiers in the past, and now there are fears they are forcibly recruiting abandoned children.

Street children in Goma and Bukavu are particularly vulnerable as authorities have ordered them to "disappear." (The Guardian)

Think about it: these kids have already lost their families, their homes, everything. And instead of being protected, they’re now being kidnapped or killed by armed rebels.

This is Not Leadership

A good president doesn’t let his country be overrun by rebels while executing his own soldiers without a plan. A good mayor doesn’t send official documents telling street kids to “go away or die.” A good government doesn’t sit back and let the Congolese people abroad do all the work while they hoard money and resources.

So no, Tshisekedi is not a good president. The mayor of Bukavu is not a good leader. And unless something changes, unless people in power actually start doing their jobs, Congo will keep falling apart.

And the worst part? The ones who suffer the most aren’t the politicians, the wealthy, or those with connections. It’s the ordinary people—the children, the displaced families, the ones who have no way to escape.

Congo is burning, and the leadership is standing there, watching.🇨🇩🩸

Sources:

1. Congo army desertion trials spotlight a force in tatters

2. Bukavu hospital patients tell of being shot in chaos of Congolese withdrawal

3. Deadly blasts hit M23 rebel rally in captured DRC city of Bukavu

70 Christians Killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Catholic Weekly

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/70-christians-killed-in-congo/

4. 70 Christians Decapitated in DR Congo by ISIS-Aligned Militants

Crux

https://cruxnow.com/africa/2023/02/70-christians-decapitated-in-dr-congo-by-isis-aligned-militants/

5. Children, Women, Elderly Among 70 Christians Massacred in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Catholic Herald

https://catholicherald.co.uk/children-women-elderly-among-70-christians-massacred-in-democratic-republic-of-congo/

6. Violence Against Street Children in DR Congo

World Organisation Against Torture

https://www.omct.org/en/resources/news/violence-against-street-children-in-dr-congo

As of January 2023, Zénon Karumba serves as the mayor of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Prior to him, Bilubi Ulengabo Méschac held the position. Recent reports indicate that the M23 rebels have seized control of Bukavu and plan to appoint their own mayor for the city. 

7. https://www.omct.org/en/resources/news/violence-against-street-children-in-dr-congo