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Inner circles | DRC
From music to sport, Tshisekedi's soft power plans to take on Kigali

Gims in Milano, Italy, on May 10 2016. © Mairo Cinquetti/Alamy Banque D'Images

The Congolese president is looking to develop alternative diplomatic channels, relying on a handful of trusted allies. While Rwanda has taken the lead in this area, the Congolese authorities are determined to make an impact and help change perceptions of the DRC. [...]

Published on 07/02/2025 at 05:40 GMT Reading time 5 minutes

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DRC
Kinshasa to sign sponsorship deal with AS Monaco

Félix Tshisekedi's government, which seeks to rival Rwanda's soft power in sport, is ready to spend some €4.8m on a partnership with Monaco football club.

Subscribers only Politics, Business 30.04.2025

The DRC is negotiating a sponsorship deal with AS Monaco (here, Swiss striker Breel Embolo).

Palace Intrigues
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Intrigues big and small... Every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

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Subscribers only Politics 13.03.2025

Spotlight | DRC
Tshisekedi dangles mineral resources in exchange for help against M23

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has been pulling out all the stops to buy time since Rwandan-backed rebels captured swathes of territory in eastern DRC. He hopes that offering mining projects will win him support from the US and the United Arab Emirates.

Subscribers only Defence 05.03.2025

M23 rebels at the Goma-Gisenyi Grande Barrier border crossing, 1 March 2025.

DRC
Kinshasa turns to Trafigura for help with strategy to reboot oil sector

In a bid to enhance the value of its oil assets and reduce pump prices for consumers, DR Congo has turned to Swiss trading giant Trafigura for help.

Subscribers only Energy 18.02.2025

Spotlight | DRC
Rebel capture of Goma puts Tshisekedi's back against the wall

Following the seizure of the city by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi is trying to urgently plug a number of holes in his security system. Efforts are meanwhile being stepped up, from Nairobi to Paris, to try to clinch a ceasefire.

Subscribers only Defence 29.01.2025

Members of the M23 armed group walk through a street in Goma, DR Congo, 27 January 2025.

Spotlight | DRC
War in the east: Luanda makes headway in Kigali-Kinshasa talks

Angola's mediation has achieved significant progress in talks between eastern DRC's belligerent parties, even if its implementation on the ground remains elusive. After receiving Congolese and Rwandan heads of intelligence and military security - as well as an M23 delegation - Luanda is now set to host the two countries' foreign ministers.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 10.09.2024

Paul Kagame, João Lourenço and Félix Tshisekedi meet in Luanda on 6 July 2022.

Spotlight | DRC, Rwanda
War in the east: Congolese and Rwandan intelligence services close to finalising agreement

In the utmost secrecy and with Angolan mediation, the DRC and Rwandan spymasters met in Rubavu on 29 and 30 August. At the end of intense negotiations, they agreed on the outlines of a plan for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the ‘neutralisation' of the FDLR.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 03.09.2024

FARDC soldiers near the frontline and the town of Kibirizi, controlled by the M23, North Kivu, DRC, 14 May 2024.

DRC
Kinshasa hopes to host France's 2025 Champions Trophy

The Congolese government had hoped to host French football's Champions Trophy this year, but is now banking on the 2025 event. President Tshisekedi, a huge fan of the sport, is also eyeing the next CAN.

Subscribers only Infrastructure, Business 03.06.2024

Inner circles | DRC
Tshisekedi's mother becomes key behind-the-scenes player in Congolese politics

Maman Marthe has become particularly influential at the start of her son's second term. She is increasingly being consulted by the country's political elite and is guiding some of the key appointments.

Subscribers only Politics 24.05.2024

Marthe Kasalu Jibikilayi in Kinshasa on 31 July 2016.

Spotlight | DRC, Rwanda
Kinshasa's thorny path to boost drone arsenal in battle against M23 rebels

The Congolese government is trying to acquire more warplanes and drones, but some negotiations have raised doubts. In recent weeks certain presidential advisers have been trying to block a major arms contract that was being negotiated by the deputy prime minister in charge of defence, Jean-Pierre Bemba.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 07.05.2024

Soldiers of the Congolese Republican Guard at Goma airport in the DRC on 12 November 2022.

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