Facing mounting pressure over his handling of the escalating conflict in eastern Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi announced plans to form a government of national unity. The move comes as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized significant territory, including valuable mineral deposits, sparking fears of a wider regional war.
“We must unite…let’s stand together to face the enemy,” Tshisekedi told a meeting of the ruling Sacred Union coalition on Saturday. His spokesperson, Tina Salama, confirmed the president’s intention to form a unity government and make changes in the coalition’s leadership, though details remained scarce. It is unclear which opposition parties or figures might be included in such a government. Analysts suggest that incorporating diverse viewpoints, particularly during a crisis, could prove challenging.
Since the beginning of the year, the Congolese army has suffered significant losses in North and South Kivu provinces. The M23 offensive, which has seen the rebels gain control of strategic areas, has fueled criticism of the government’s military strategy and raised concerns about its ability to effectively address the crisis. Congo, along with the UN and Western partners, accuses Rwanda of arming and supporting the M23, allegations Rwanda consistently denies.
“His management is one of the causes of the current crisis,” said opposition figure Herve Diakiese, criticizing the move to form a unity government. “Tshisekedi is more concerned with saving his power, whereas we are more concerned with saving the Congo, and this can be done with or without him.” Public reaction to the proposed unity government has been mixed, with some expressing hope for a united front and others remaining skeptical.
The crisis comes as Congo prepares for elections, placing additional political pressure on Tshisekedi. Whether a unity government can effectively address the complex challenges posed by the conflict remains to be seen.”
