Félix Tshisekedi

Force in Play

In office; overseeing the war against the FRN

A military court in Walikale, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, sentenced 66 soldiers to death on 6 November for cowardice, mutiny and disobeying orders. The troops, from the 3415th Regiment, were arrested on 20 October in Ngora, accused of abandoning positions in Ntonto village during clashes with the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN). Four were acquitted and one sergeant got 10 years.

Updated 12 hours ago

Force in Play

Leading DRC government's multi-track diplomatic and military response

Congolese authorities have now opened three mass graves in Uvira and counted more than 344 bodies, up from the 171 reported in two sites in February. A military prosecutor has identified about 110 grave sites across the Uvira area, most still unopened.

Updated Yesterday

Force in Play

Pressing for tougher international measures against Rwanda

The US Treasury sanctioned Rwanda's defence ministry and Zigama Credit and Savings Society, the bank that handles payments for the country's security services, on October 28. Treasury says the ministry sent thousands of troops into eastern Congo to fight alongside the M23 rebel group.

Updated Nov 3

Force in Play

In office since 2019; second term ends 2028. His government banned Kabila's PPRD party and 12 others, accused him of planning a 'general attack,' and on October 25 accused him of treason.

Joseph Kabila, who led the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2001 to 2019, heads a political-military coalition that includes the M23 rebel group. The Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) was launched in Goma, the eastern city M23 has controlled since January 2025. Kabila is the FRN's president, and M23's Bertrand Bisimwa and former AFC leader Corneille Nangaa are vice presidents.

Updated Oct 26

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Leading diplomatic efforts against M23 while accusing Rwanda of peace deal violations

A landslide at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed more than 400 people on January 29, 2026—miners, children, and market workers buried when rain-soaked tunnels collapsed. The mine, controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group since May 2024, supplies roughly 15% of the world's coltan, which becomes tantalum capacitors in smartphones and aircraft engines worldwide. M23 extracts an estimated $800,000 monthly by taxing every gram of ore.

Updated May 26

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Partner in Washington Accord linking peace to investment and health cooperation

In 2025 the Trump administration dismantled the post-Cold War global health architecture by withdrawing from the WHO, freezing most foreign aid, and abolishing USAID's development role. Through its 'America First Global Health Strategy,' the administration created bilateral health compacts requiring partner governments to co-finance HIV, TB, malaria, and outbreak response programs and gradually assume full responsibility.

Updated May 10

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Seeking to regain territory from M23 and leverage U.S. backing while facing domestic skepticism about concessions to Rwanda and foreign investors

In early 2025, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion and its allies seized Goma and Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, displacing millions. The United States stepped in and brokered the June 27 Washington Accord.

Updated May 9