DRC president Félix Tshisekedi’s urgent call for global action on eastern conflict

During an official visit to Luanda, Angola, where he received a warm welcome from his counterpart João Lourenço, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo delivered a remarkably potent political address that resonated deeply with attendees.

Addressing the 3rd edition of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) initiative, the Congolese head of state strongly condemned the international community’s inertia regarding the severe security crisis plaguing Eastern DRC. He raised his voice against a global order he perceives as having lost its moral compass.

For President Tshisekedi, the ongoing Congolese tragedy transcends a mere regional incident; it serves as a stark indicator of a collective failure within international law.

“We cannot accept the silence of convenience”

Before an audience of global leaders, diplomats, and civil society representatives, the Congolese President eschewed polite diplomatic phrasing, instead delivering harsh truths about the human suffering engulfing his nation:

“We must reject the trivialization of war. We cannot be content with fleeting indignation. We cannot accept the silence of convenience, nor merely count victims only to forget them. We cannot allow international law to devolve into ceremonial language devoid of any real impact.”

This direct appeal unequivocally targets the lack of tangible action from major global powers concerning the Rwandan aggression, purportedly operating through the M23 rebellion. By asserting that peace cannot be reduced to empty rhetoric or a “temporary silence of weapons,” the head of state demands that justice, truth, and respect for national sovereignty finally steer multilateral resolutions.

The eastern conflict: a crash test for the global order

Expanding on his perspective, Félix Tshisekedi warned the assembly that ignoring the security chaos in the Great Lakes region poses a systemic threat to the entire planet:

“The struggle waged by the DRC extends far beyond its borders; it does not solely concern the security of a Central African nation. It fundamentally questions the very robustness of the international order we claim to uphold, because wherever the law of the strongest supersedes the force of law, no people can remain permanently safe.”

From Kinshasa’s perspective, the ongoing situation in Eastern Congo represents a crucial test of multilateralism’s credibility. If the borders of a sovereign state can be violated with impunity, allegedly sponsored by neighboring countries without significant repercussions, then the global security of every nation is inherently undermined.

Strategic exchanges behind the scenes with João Lourenço

On the sidelines of the forum, Félix Tshisekedi and João Lourenço, the African Union’s designated mediator for the DRC security crisis, held a private discussion. The two leaders assessed the on-ground situation and the progression of peace initiatives under the Luanda process.

With the DRC holding the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council since July 1, 2026, this impactful address in Luanda signals the launch of a significant diplomatic offensive, aiming to compel the international community to move beyond rhetoric and towards concrete action.