President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has revealed plans to form a unity government as violence intensifies in the country’s eastern region, sparking significant concern from both domestic and international observers. This announcement comes as the situation in eastern Congo deteriorates due to the rapid advance of the M23 rebels, who have captured key cities and displaced thousands, escalating the already fragile security situation.
In a statement delivered to the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition on Saturday, Tshisekedi urged for unity within the government and emphasized the need for collaboration across party lines. “I may have lost a battle, but not the war. I need to engage with everyone, including the opposition. A national unity government will be formed,” Tshisekedi stated, although he did not offer specifics on the structure or timeline of this proposed government.
The M23, a rebel group with a strong presence in eastern Congo, has seized large swaths of territory in a swift offensive, most notably taking control of Goma, the largest city in the region, and Bukavu, the second-largest. This movement has been aided by an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops, according to U.N. experts. The M23 claims to be defending the rights of Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan descent from perceived discrimination, but the group’s growing influence has raised questions about Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict.
In response to the M23’s advances, President Tshisekedi has pledged to strengthen the Congolese military, and honored fallen soldiers in his speech. However, critics argue that Tshisekedi’s actions in handling the situation are part of a broader strategy to suppress political opposition and maintain a firm grip on power. Former Congolese president, Joseph Kabila, has publicly criticized Tshisekedi’s governance, suggesting that the president’s policies, including alleged human rights abuses such as intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial executions, have contributed to the rising instability in the region.
Kabila, in a recent opinion piece, stated that the worsening situation in the DRC cannot solely be attributed to the actions of the M23 or Rwanda’s involvement, but rather to the internal political environment under Tshisekedi’s rule. He called out the alleged “sham” December 2023 elections, which resulted in Tshisekedi securing a second term amid accusations of election manipulation and suppression of political opposition. Kabila warned that unless the underlying issues of governance are addressed, efforts to resolve the security crisis in eastern Congo will likely fail, and the country could face further destabilization or even civil war.
The M23’s resurgence in 2021 came two years after Tshisekedi assumed the presidency, and the group has since strengthened its grip on resource-rich areas in eastern Congo. The United Nations and other international bodies have expressed grave concern about the humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.
As part of an effort to stabilize the region, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has deployed over 1,000 troops to the DRC. However, the recent death of 14 South African soldiers last month highlights the dangerous and volatile nature of the conflict.
Despite the increasing pressure on his government, Tshisekedi remains determined to strengthen his military response and insists that his government’s actions are aimed at restoring peace. However, critics and former leaders like Kabila argue that the true path to stability lies in addressing the deep-rooted political issues within the DRC and fostering an inclusive, transparent government that respects the rule of law and human rights.
With the conflict in the eastern DRC continuing to escalate, the formation of a unity government may be seen as a necessary step in engaging all political factions and addressing the complex challenges facing the country. However, the effectiveness of such a government in restoring peace and stability remains uncertain amid ongoing internal and external pressures.
