In yet another episode of a political circus, Félix Tshisekedi recently took the stage in front of Congolese living in Botswana and attempted to portray Rwanda as the villain in the DRC struggle. But this is a well-worn script that Tshisekedi seems to have on repeat like a broken record, always pointing fingers at Rwanda whenever the spotlight shines on DRC’s internal conflicts, governance, and security issues.
First of all, it is important to remember that President Tshisekedi has been on a wild goose chase for the past year, blaming Rwanda for all of the DRC problems. He seems to forget that the root of the issue lies within Congo itself, not with its neighbors or elsewhere. And now he is making outrageous claims about the president of Rwanda, who has been nothing but a peaceful and diplomatic leader.
While Tshisekedi passionately points fingers at Rwanda, he conveniently overlooks the long-standing internal woes that have plagued the Congo for decades. It is within the borders of the DRC itself that the true sources of insecurity, armed groups, and endemic violence reside. Instead of addressing these pressing issues head-on, Tshisekedi opts for a diversionary tactic, painting Rwanda as the ultimate scapegoat.
Ironically, while Tshisekedi points fingers at Rwanda, his own government’s actions have proven to be ineffective in addressing the security concerns within the DRC. The state of siege touted as a solution to curb armed groups, has only exacerbated the violence and led to a deteriorating security situation. The number of civilian casualties has risen, and armed groups have expanded their influence despite military offensives. It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black, with Tshisekedi’s policies backfiring spectacularly.
Tshisekedi’s attempt to divert attention from the internal struggles within the DRC is both disingenuous and counterproductive. Rather than taking responsibility for the complex challenges faced by his own country, he resorts to scapegoating Rwanda. Kinshasa has been plagued by internal conflicts, weak governance, and a long history of exploitation. Addressing these issues requires introspection, accountability, and constructive collaboration among all stakeholders, rather than the ill-conceived blame game propagated by Tshisekedi.