**During an official visit to Luanda, Angola, where he received a warm welcome from his counterpart João Lourenço, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, delivered a highly impactful and politically charged speech.**
Speaking at the 3rd edition of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) initiative, the head of state forcefully condemned the international community’s inaction regarding the severe security crisis gripping Eastern DRC. He raised his voice against a global order he perceives as losing its moral compass.
For Félix Tshisekedi, the Congolese tragedy should no longer be viewed as a mere regional incident but as a stark indicator of a collective failure in upholding international law.
“we cannot accept the silence of convenience”
Before an audience of global leaders, diplomats, and civil society representatives, the Congolese president eschewed diplomatic niceties, instead delivering brutal truths about the human catastrophe unfolding in his nation:
“We must reject the normalization of war. We cannot be content with fleeting indignation. We cannot accept the silence of convenience, nor count victims only to forget them later. We cannot allow international law to become a ceremonial language devoid of real impact.”
This direct appeal unequivocally targets the major powers’ lack of concrete action against the Rwandan aggression, which is often masked by the M23 rebellion. By emphasizing 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 guide multilateral resolutions.
the eastern conflict: a stress test for global order
Broadening his perspective, Félix Tshisekedi warned the attendees that turning a blind eye to the security chaos in the Great Lakes region poses a systemic danger to the entire planet:
“The struggle of the DRC extends far beyond its borders; it does not solely concern the security of a Central African nation. It questions the very solidity of the international order we claim to defend, because wherever the law of the strong overrides the strength of law, no people are safe indefinitely (…).”
For Kinshasa, the situation in Eastern Congo serves as the ultimate credibility test for multilateralism. If the borders of a sovereign state can be violated with impunity, sponsored by neighboring countries without significant sanctions, then the global security of every nation is undeniably weakened.
strategic discussions with joão lourenço on the sidelines
On the fringes of this forum, Félix Tshisekedi held a private meeting with João Lourenço, who is the African Union’s designated mediator for the DRC security crisis. The two leaders assessed the situation on the ground and discussed the next steps for the Luanda peace process initiatives.
As the DRC assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council from July 1, 2026, this resounding address in Luanda signals the beginning of a major diplomatic offensive designed to compel the international community to move beyond words and take decisive action.
