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A dramatic walk-out by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi nearly overshadowed the summit of French-speaking nations held in Paris over the weekend. In a bold protest against French President Emmanuel Macron’s opening speech—during which the ongoing war in eastern Congo was notably omitted—Tshisekedi boycotted the heads of state retreat, marking a significant moment of diplomatic tension for France.
Tshisekedi further escalated the situation by skipping a luncheon hosted by Louise Mushikiwabo, the head of the Organisation of Francophone Countries (OIF), who previously served as Rwanda’s foreign minister. The Congolese government viewed Macron’s failure to address the conflict in the eastern DRC as an attempt to appease Kigali, exacerbating already strained relations.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, along with the United Nations, has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in their operations within Congolese territory, complicating an already volatile situation. In response to the backlash, Macron held a press conference on Saturday evening, asserting that he does not take sides and urging both nations to seek a resolution through negotiations mediated by Angola.
Prior to the summit, Macron met separately with both Rwandan and Congolese leaders, highlighting the delicate diplomatic balancing act faced by France in the region. Tshisekedi’s walkout underscores the deep-rooted tensions in Central Africa and the challenges ahead for French diplomacy in addressing these complex issues.
