Tshisekedi Responds to Kagame: Rwandan Elections Have Pre-Decided Results

On January 18, during a New Year ceremony with diplomats in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), President Félix Tshisekedi defended his recent re-election. He responded to criticism from Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who had claimed that Tshisekedi did not win the 2018 and 2023 elections fairly.

Tshisekedi firmly stated that the 2023 elections were free and transparent, allowing the Congolese people to choose their leaders without interference.

He emphasized that his victory and the success of his political coalition, the "Union Sacrée de la Nation," reflected the people's renewed trust in his leadership.

Indirectly addressing Kagame’s concerns about legitimacy, Tshisekedi highlighted the openness of DRC’s electoral system. He contrasted it with other nations where elections seem predetermined, with carefully selected opponents ensuring the same outcomes every time.

He insisted that in the DRC, every citizen has the right to vote, and the opposition plays a role in democracy.

Regarding the security crisis in Eastern DRC, Tshisekedi reaffirmed his stance against negotiating with the armed group M23, maintaining a strong position on national security.