Kinshasa, July 1, 2025 – President Félix Tshisekedi has publicly defended the DRC-Rwanda peace accord and U.S.-facilitated mineral pact, pushing back against claims by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege that the agreements represent a betrayal of Congolese sovereignty.
Speaking during a nationally televised address on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 65th Independence Day, Tshisekedi responded to mounting criticism by asserting that Congo’s resources will not be surrendered to foreign exploitation.
“I firmly reaffirm my red lines: the DRC’s resources will never be sold off or handed over to obscure interests,” he declared.
Mukwege Slams Deal as “Extractive Neo-Colonialism”
The statement came in the wake of Dr. Mukwege’s fiery speech in Brussels, where he condemned the mineral deal and peace accord as a “scandalous surrender of sovereignty.” Mukwege accused the Tshisekedi government of enabling the looting of Congolese minerals, especially cobalt and lithium, through Rwanda under the guise of peace.
“This is a logic of extractive neo-colonialism,” warned Mukwege. “We’re witnessing the legitimization of an aggressor state at the expense of our constitutional rights.”
He further urged a revival of the 2013 Addis Ababa Framework and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2773, advocating for regional peace rooted in justice.
Tshisekedi’s Vision: Strategic and Transparent Partnerships
Tshisekedi did not mention Mukwege by name but made clear his stance: the DRC seeks “transparent, reliable, and win-win partnerships” with global players—from the United States and China to the Gulf states and fellow African nations.
He lauded international figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Angola’s João Lourenço for their role in brokering the peace initiative.
“The DRC is back,” Tshisekedi said. “We aim not only to end the war, but to build a foundation for inclusive and sustainable development.”
The mineral agreement, a key part of this strategy, was signed alongside the peace accord with Rwanda and intends to stabilize eastern Congo while regulating the strategic minerals trade vital to the global green energy transition.
Civil Society Concerns Rise
Mukwege’s comments signal a growing rift between civil society and the Congolese government. The renowned surgeon warned of possible mass mobilization if the administration continues to bypass constitutional safeguards and citizen interests.
Tshisekedi, however, called for national unity, referencing his recent dialogue with opposition leader Martin Fayulu as a step toward reconciliation.
“Let’s rise above our divisions. Unity is not a choice—it is a condition for survival,” he urged.
A Nation at a Crossroads
As the DRC navigates post-conflict recovery, the tension between economic diplomacy and sovereign integrity is intensifying. While some praise Tshisekedi’s openness to foreign partnerships, critics fear that Congo’s hard-won independence risks erosion under external influence masked as cooperation.
The debate will likely shape Congo’s political narrative in the lead-up to 2026 elections, with civil society groups, faith leaders, and youth movements increasingly vocal about resource ownership, justice, and democratic accountability.
