Kabila and Katumbi: Recycling Failures and Betraying Congo's Future

Some comebacks inspire hope, others spark questions, and a few, unfortunately, bring bitter regret. Joseph Kabila, a key and controversial figure in Congo’s history, seems to be treading a path of confusion rather than redemption. Isn’t this the essence of Congolese politics—a stage where the same actors refuse to step aside, creating fleeting alliances and betrayals behind the scenes?

Joseph Kabila and Moïse Katumbi have joined forces to oppose President Félix Tshisekedi’s plan to change the Constitution. They claim it threatens democracy and could result in a president staying in power for life. The two leaders met in Addis Ababa and made a statement against the proposal.

This follows Tshisekedi’s December 24 speech in Kananga, where he said the 2005 Constitution needs to be updated to meet the country’s current needs. He announced plans to form a group of experts to review it, saying the changes reflect the people's wishes.

“If you want the Constitution to change, we will change it, and no one can stop us,” Tshisekedi told a cheering crowd.

However, the meeting of Kabila and Katumbi came with a condition: Kabila needed genuine introspection, a break from the practices and people that tarnished his legacy. Unfortunately, six years after stepping down, Kabila remains trapped in the same patterns, surrounded by the same figures. Worse, he’s now extending his hand to Moïse Katumbi—a former ally turned opponent, whose actions led to Kabila’s fall and the collapse of his alliance with Tshisekedi.

Katumbi, known for his opportunistic maneuvers, has been an executioner, rival, and now, possibly, a partner. This alliance of convenience is a bizarre spectacle. At a time when Congo had its first peaceful transfer of power, Kabila and Tshisekedi’s unexpected alliance brought hope for healing and reconciliation. Yet Katumbi, driven by his interests, dismantled this fragile unity, supported by external influences like former U.S. ambassador Mike Hammer. Eventually, Katumbi usurped Kabila’s role while pursuing his ambition to lead the country.

Now, Kabila and Katumbi present a new partnership, abandoning principles for political survival. This move highlights the irony of Congo’s politics, where yesterday’s enemy becomes today’s ally. Kabila’s choice to engage in this opportunistic game erases the chance to become a figure of renewal. Instead, he perpetuates the cycle he once criticized.

The issue isn’t just Kabila; it’s a systemic problem in Congolese politics. Leaders prioritize personal gains over ideas, recycling alliances without genuine ambition for progress. From Mobutu to Tshisekedi, failures pile up, and hope fades. Nothing truly changes.

What can the Congolese people hope for? Perhaps they demand a new political approach—one that abandons recycled figures and outdated practices. Kabila could have led this transformation, but he seems stuck replaying the same script. Meanwhile, Congo waits for a new chapter—a melody of justice and hope to replace the discord of the past.

Sources Beto