Félix Tshisekedi Explained

Honorific Prefix:His Excellency
Félix Tshisekedi
Office:5th President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Term Start:24 January 2019
Predecessor:Joseph Kabila
Office1:Leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress
Term Start1:31 March 2018
Predecessor1:Étienne Tshisekedi
Office2:19th Chairperson of the African Union
Predecessor2:Cyril Ramaphosa
Successor2:Macky Sall
Termstart2:6 February 2021
Termend2:5 February 2022
Office3:Chairman of Southern African Development Community
Term Start3:17 August 2022
Term End3:17 August 2023
Predecessor3:Filipe Nyusi
Successor3:João Lourenço
Birth Date:1963 6, df=y
Birth Place:Léopoldville, Congo-Léopoldville (now Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Parents:Étienne Tshisekedi
Marthe Kasalu Jibikila
Spouse:Denise Nyakéru Tshisekedi
Party:Union for Democracy and Social Progress
Website:https://presidence.cd

Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo[1] (in French feliks ɑ̃twan tʃisekedi tʃilombo/; born 13 June 1963)[2] is a Congolese politician who has been the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 24 January 2019.[3] He is the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the DRC's oldest and largest party,[4] succeeding his late father Étienne Tshisekedi in that role, a three-time Prime Minister of Zaire and opposition leader during the reign of Mobutu Sese Seko. Tshisekedi was the UDPS party's candidate for president in the December 2018 general election, which he was awarded, despite accusations of irregularities from several election monitoring organisations and other opposition parties. The Constitutional Court of the DRC upheld his victory after another opposition politician, Martin Fayulu, challenged the result, but Tshisekedi has been accused of making a deal with his predecessor, Joseph Kabila. The election marked the first peaceful transition of power since the state became independent from Belgium in 1960.

Since the Common Front for Congo (FCC) coalition, which is aligned with Kabila, still controlled the parliament and provincial governorships, Tshisekedi's ability to govern or even appoint a new Prime Minister was limited for the first six months of his term. He named his coalition partner and political heavyweight, Vital Kamerhe, as his Chief of Cabinet, at first having designated him prime minister but not having the parliamentary support to have him successfully appointed.[5] In May 2019 he reached a deal with the parliament's Kabila-aligned majority to appoint Sylvestre Ilunga prime minister.[6] On 27 July 2019, negotiations finally ended between Tshisekedi and the parliament, agreeing on the formation of a new cabinet.[7]

In May 2024, he managed to foil a coup attempt targeting him.[8]

Early life and education

Tshisekedi, a member of the Luba ethnic group, was born in Kinshasa on 13 June 1963 to mother Marthe and father Étienne Tshisekedi, who served as Prime Minister of Zaire in the 1990s.[9] He had a comfortable life as a youth in the capital, but when his father created the UDPS in the early 1980s, publicly opposing Mobutu, Félix was forced to accompany him into house arrest in his native village in central Kasaï. This put his studies on hold. In 1985, Mobutu allowed him, his mother, and his brothers to leave Kasaï. He went on to live in Brussels, Belgium, where he worked at odd jobs, delivering pizza and cleaning jobs, he later became an active UDPS member.

Political career

Early political career

In late 2008, Tshisekedi was named the UDPS National Secretary for external relations.[10] In November 2011, he obtained a seat in the National Assembly, representing the city of Mbuji Mayi in Kasai-Oriental province. He did not take his seat, citing a fraudulent election, and his mandate was invalidated for "absenteeism".

In May 2013, he refused a position of rapporteur at the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), saying that he did not want to put his political career on hold[11] as CENI's article 17 excludes membership for those who are members of a political formation.

In October 2016, Tshisekedi became vice secretary general of the UDPS.

2018 election to the presidency

On 31 March 2018, he was elected to lead the UDPS, after his father's death on 1 February 2017.[12] The same day, the UDPS nominated him for president in the December 2018 general election.

On 10 January 2019, it was announced that Tshisekedi had won the presidency of the DRC in the December 2018 election.[13] He defeated another opposition leader, Martin Fayulu, and Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, who was supported by term-limited outgoing President Kabila, who had been president for 18 years. Fayulu, the runner-up, alleged vote rigging and challenged the election results.[14] On 19 January, the Constitutional Court, dismissed the challenge, officially making Tshisekedi president-elect.[15] He was sworn in as president on 24 January 2019,[16] taking office the next day.[3] This marked the first time since the Congo gained independence in 1960 that an incumbent president peacefully transferred power to the opposition.[17]

On 20 January, South Africa congratulated Tshisekedi on his election despite the African Union and EU warning of doubts over the result announced by the Constitutional Court.[18]

Tenure as president (2019–present)

After Tshisekedi was sworn in, it was reported that a member of Kabila's coalition would be picked to serve as his Prime Minister.[19] [20]

On 13 March 2019, Tshisekedi signed a decree to pardon approximately 700 prisoners, including imprisoned political opponents of Kabila, and this decision followed his promise to allow the return of exiles given the week before.[21]

In early 2019, negotiations were underway between Tshisekedi and Kabila's FCC coalition that controlled the National Assembly and Senate. In late April, Jeune Afrique reported that Kabila proposed to Tshisekedi the mining company executive Albert Yuma as a candidate for prime minister. Yuma supports the new Mining Code adopted in 2018, which put the DRC in dispute with international mining companies, and Tshisekedi has been under foreign pressure to not appoint him.[22] [23] The Civil Society of South Kivu recommended to Tshisekedi the appointment of his chief of staff Vital Kamerhe as prime minister.[24] For months, Tshisekedi continued working with ministers of Kabila's government as he was hamstrung by parliament. He faced challenges in dealing with the Kivu conflict as well as the Ebola outbreak in the region.[25] In early March, Tshisekedi started a program to improve infrastructure, transport, education, housing, communication, health, water, and agriculture.[26]

Most of the provincial governorships were also won by Kabila-affiliated candidates.[27]

On 20 May 2019, Tshisekedi reached a deal with the FCC coalition and Kabila, appointing the career civil servant Sylvestre Ilunga as prime minister. Ilunga began his political career in the 1970s and held a number of cabinet posts under Mobutu Sese Seko before his overthrow in 1997. He is also an ally of Kabila.[28] [29] [30] In late July 2019, Tshisekedi reached a deal with parliament on forming a new government. Ilunga's new cabinet would include 65 members, 48 ministers and 17 vice-ministers, which should be divided between the Kabila-aligned FCC and Tshisekedi's CACH alliance. The majority of the ministries went to the FCC, including three of the six most important ones (Defence, Justice, and Finance), while the Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Budget portfolios went to Tshisekedi's allies.[31] After a power struggle saw the coalition with allies of Tshisekedi's predecessor break down and many legislators were won over, Ilunga was forced to leave office and Tshisekedi appointed Gécamines leader Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde as successor on 15 February 2021.[32]

On 12 April 2021, Tshisekedi formally ended his two-year coalition with Kabila and his allies when prime minister Sama Lukonde formed a new government. On national television, Tshisekedi’s spokesman Kasongo Mwema Yamba Yamba announced a number of new appointments, including Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi as mines minister.[33] The president succeeded to oust the last remaining elements of his government who were loyal to Kabila.[34]

Tshisekedi has called for a review of mining contracts signed with China by his predecessor Joseph Kabila,[35] especially the Sicomines multibillion 'minerals-for-infrastructure' deal.[36] [37] He has also promised to end and reverse deforestation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by 2030, in the COP26 climate summit's first major agreement.[38]

In October 2022, Tshisekedi ruled out bringing in Russian mercenaries to help quell a raging conflict in the east of the country and vowed to press on with economic development plans despite the insecurity in the region.[39]

After the 2023 presidential election, Tshisekedi had a clear lead in his run for a second term.[40] On 31 December 2023, officials said that Tshisekedi had been re-elected with 73% of the vote. Nine opposition candidates signed a declaration rejecting the election and called for a rerun.[41]

On 19 May 2024, he was targeted, alongside his ally Vital Kamerhe, in the 2024 Democratic Republic of the Congo coup attempt launched by the self-proclaimed New Zaire, but managed to foil the attempt quickly.[42] [43] [44]

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Félix Tshisekedi investi candidat du parti historique d'opposition UDPS en RDC. Voice of America. 31 March 2018. 25 May 2018. fr. 8 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180708192722/https://www.voaafrique.com/a/felix-tshisekedi-ivesti-candiadt-du-parti-historique-d-opposition-en-rdc/4325220.html. live.
  2. News: RDC : Félix Tshisekedi, au nom du père. Jeune Afrique. Boisselet. Pierre. 15 June 2017. 26 May 2018. fr. 3 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503123334/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/444636/politique/rdc-felix-tshisekedi-nom-pere/. live.
  3. Web site: RDC : Félix Tshisekedi s'installe dans le bureau présidentiel. JeuneAfrique.com. 24 January 2019. fr-FR. 2019-05-25. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108120738/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/716053/politique/rdc-felix-tshisekedi-sinstalle-dans-le-bureau-presidentiel/. live.
  4. News: Congo Opposition Leaders Mull Unity Candidate for Delayed Vote. Bloomberg News. Clowes. William. 25 May 2018. 25 May 2018. 3 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503123324/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-25/congo-opposition-leaders-mull-unity-candidate-for-delayed-vote. live.
  5. News: DRC president Tshisekedi names coalition ally as Chief of Staff. 29 January 2019. Africanews. 29 January 2019. 29 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190129093755/http://www.africanews.com/2019/01/29/drc-president-tshisekedi-names-coalition-ally-as-chief-of-staff/. live.
  6. https://www.dw.com/en/experienced-technocrat-to-head-government-of-the-democratic-republic-of-congo/a-48818736 Experienced technocrat to head government of the Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/dr-congo-rivals-forge-government-pact-7-months-after-polls-20190726 DR Congo rivals forge government pact 7 months after polls
  8. Web site: 2024-05-20 . Six killed in a ‘foiled coup’ in Congo, the army says . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520151730/https://apnews.com/article/congo-coup-attempt-death-toll-malanga-tshisekedi-968b2726546f90a8bfbd5d222d513708 . 20 May 2024 . 2024-05-20 . Associated Press . en.
  9. Book: Williame, Jean-Claude. Zaire: Predicament and Prospects . 1997. DIANE Publishing . 0-7881-7042-2 . 3. etal.
  10. Web site: Félix Tshisekedi Premier ministre à la place de Samy Badibanga?. Politico.cd. 23 December 2016. 25 May 2018. fr. 3 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210302/https://www.politico.cd/actualite/la-une/2016/12/23/felix-tshisekedi-premier-ministre-a-place-de-samy-badibanga.html. live.
  11. " Je ne tiens pas à mettre ma carrière politique entre parenthèses "
  12. News: Tshisekedi's son leads DRC's main opposition party. The Herald. 2 April 2018. 25 May 2018. 26 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180526041034/https://www.herald.co.zw/tshisekedis-son-leads-drcs-main-opposition-party/. live.
  13. News: Opposition named winner in DR Congo poll. 10 January 2019. BBC News. 10 January 2019. 11 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190611185626/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46819303. live.
  14. Web site: Surprise Winner of Congolese Election Is An Opposition Leader. NPR. Richard. Gonzales. Matthew S.. Schwartz. 10 January 2019. 16 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190116094255/https://www.npr.org/2019/01/09/683830171/surprise-winner-of-congolese-election-is-an-opposition-leader. live.
  15. News: Bujakera . Stanys . Congo top court declares Tshisekedi winner of presidential poll . 20 January 2019 . Reuters . 19 January 2019 . 13 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201213103920/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-election/congo-top-court-declares-tshisekedi-winner-of-presidential-poll-idUSKCN1PE007?il=0 . live .
  16. Web site: REFILE-Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi sworn in as Congo president. https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020306/https://af.reuters.com/article/drcNews/idAFL8N1ZN4X9. dead. 25 January 2019. 24 January 2019. af.reuters.com.
  17. Web site: First peaceful transfer of power in DR Congo ‘an extraordinary opportunity’ for advancing rights UN News . news.un.org . en . 19 March 2019 . 8 February 2023 . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203073010/https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1034971 . live .
  18. News: SA urges 'all parties' to accept Tshisekedi's DRC win. 20 January 2019. News24. 23 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190123011643/https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/sa-urges-all-parties-to-accept-tshisekedis-drc-win-20190120. live.
  19. Web site: Félix Tshisekedi Is Sworn In as Congolese President. Gabriele. Steinhauser. Laurence. Norman. 24 January 2019. The Wall Street Journal. 24 January 2019. 18 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718101555/https://www.wsj.com/articles/felix-tshisekedi-is-sworn-in-as-congolese-president-11548356987. live.
  20. Web site: DR Congo: Tshisekedi takes office, but Kabila's legacy casts long shadow. 24 January 2019. France 24. Hermann. Boko. 24 January 2019. 20 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210820122057/https://www.france24.com/en/20190124-dr-congo-inauguration-felix-tshisekedi-president-kabila-legacy-analysis-fayulu. live.
  21. Web site: New Congolese President Pardons About 700 Political Prisoners. NPR.org. Richard. Gonzales. 14 March 2019. 27 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220827205511/https://www.npr.org/2019/03/13/703255306/new-congolese-president-pardons-about-700-political-prisoners. live.
  22. Bujakera Tshiamala, Stanis (23 April 2019). RDC : Joseph Kabila renonce à imposer Albert Yuma à la primature . Jeune Afrique.
  23. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/africa/Felix-tshisekedi-turned-down-joseph-kbila-PM-pick/4552902-5063776-11us1f1/index.html Congo president turned down predecessor's PM pick: source
  24. https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-50354_sud_kivu_la_societe_civile_appelle_felix_tshisekedi_a_nommer_vital_kamerhe_premier_ministre.html Sud-Kivu : la société civile appelle Félix Tshisekedi à nommer Vital Kamerhe Premier ministre
  25. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/africa/Security-concerns-mark-Tshisekedi-s-first-tour-of-DR-Congo/4552902-5083928-116phkz/index.html Security issues dominate Tshisekedi's first tour of DR Congo
  26. https://www.dw.com/en/drcs-felix-tshisekedi-still-a-president-without-a-cabinet/a-48588554 DRC's Felix Tshisekedi still a president without a cabinet
  27. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/tshisekedi-seeks-to-assert-authority-over-pro-kabila-governors-11529680 Tshisekedi seeks to assert authority over pro-Kabila governors
  28. http://en.rfi.fr/africa/20190521-new-drc-prime-minister-sylvestre-ilunga-professor-and-politician New DRC Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga is a political and professor
  29. Web site: DR Congo PM appointed under 'political agreement' with Kabila. Yahoo News. 20 May 2019. 21 January 2021. 10 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190910183540/https://www.yahoo.com/news/dr-congo-political-heavyweight-moise-katumbi-returns-home-135221830.html. live.
  30. https://www.france24.com/en/20190520-dr-congos-tshisekedi-names-new-prime-minister DR Congo's Tshisekedi names new prime minister
  31. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-politics/congo-president-and-predecessor-agree-on-division-of-cabinet-posts-idUSKCN1UL1UD Congo president and predecessor agree on division of cabinet posts
  32. Web site: DR Congo names Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde new prime minister after power struggle. 2021-02-17. News24. en-US. 27 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220827205509/https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/dr-congo-names-jean-michel-sama-lukonde-new-prime-minister-after-power-struggle-20210215. live.
  33. News: 2021-04-12. Two Years After Vote, Congo's President Gets His Own Government. en. Bloomberg.com. Michael J.. Kavanagh. 2021-04-28. 15 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415023255/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-12/new-government-shifts-congo-s-power-balance-to-tshisekedi. live.
  34. Web site: Felix Tshisekedi's Newly-Independent Agenda for the DRC: Modernizer or Strongman 2.0?. 26 May 2021. 6 June 2021. 27 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220427234020/https://chargedaffairs.org/felix-tshisekedis-newly-independent-agenda-for-the-drc-modernizer-or-strongman-2-0/. dead.
  35. News: DRC's Tshisekedi has secured his power base: now it's time to deliver . . Reuben . Loffman . 27 October 2021 . 7 December 2021 . 7 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211207205828/https://theconversation.com/drcs-tshisekedi-has-secured-his-power-base-now-its-time-to-deliver-170282 . live .
  36. News: Congo Reviews $6.2 Billion China Mining Deal as Criticism Grows . Bloomberg . Michael J. . Kavanagh . 28 September 2021 . 7 December 2021 . 7 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211207205823/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-28/congo-reviews-6-2-billion-china-mining-deal-as-criticism-grows . live .
  37. News: China Cash Flowed Through Congo Bank to Former President's Cronies. Bloomberg. Michael J.. Kavanagh. William. Clowes. 28 November 2021. 7 December 2021. 7 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207205825/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-11-28/africa-s-biggest-data-leak-reveals-china-money-role-in-kabila-s-congo-looting. live.
  38. News: COP26 summit: DRC president pledges to fight deforestation of the Congo basin . Africanews . 2 November 2021 . 11 November 2021 . 11 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211111111754/https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/02/cop26-summit-drc-president-pledges-to-fight-deforestation-of-the-congo-basin/ . live .
  39. News: 2022-10-18 . DR Congo leader rules out deploying Russian mercenaries to quell rebels . Financial Times . 2022-10-19 . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019105819/https://www.ft.com/content/8e720aa2-1cb3-474c-b4eb-805c03504f8f . live .
  40. News: DR Congo presidential election: partial results give Tshisekedi a clear lead. Africanews. 25 December 2023. 29 December 2023. 30 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231230002945/https://www.africanews.com/2023/12/25/dr-congo-presidential-election-partial-results-give-tshisekedi-a-clear-lead//. live.
  41. News: Agence France-Presse . 2023-12-31 . DRC president declared election winner as opposition cries foul . en-GB . The Guardian . 2024-01-02 . 0261-3077 . 21 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521142927/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/31/drc-president-felix-tshisekedi-declared-election-winner-as-opposition-cries-foul . live .
  42. Web site: 2024-05-19 . Congolese army says it has foiled a coup. Self-exiled opposition leader threatens president . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240519105259/https://apnews.com/article/congo-kinshasa-gunfire-1a148e35f0cbbae14b2101413f788708 . 19 May 2024 . 2024-05-19 . Associated Press . en.
  43. Web site: 2024-05-20 . Who was behind the DRC’s attempted coup, and were Americans involved? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521141323/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/who-was-behind-the-drcs-attempted-coup-and-were-americans-involved . 21 May 2024 . 2024-05-20 . Al Jazeera . en.
  44. Web site: 2024-05-21 . Americans in alleged Congo coup plot formed an unlikely band . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520151730/https://apnews.com/article/congo-coup-attempt-death-toll-malanga-tshisekedi-968b2726546f90a8bfbd5d222d513708 . 20 May 2024 . 2024-05-21 . Associated Press . en.

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