Will the US presidential election change anything in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country where the Trump administration provided significant support to the new Congolese head of state against his predecessor?
As for the presidency, we showed full confidence yesterday, Tuesday 2 November. Joe Biden or Donald Trump … a relative of Felix Tshisekedi says he follows this election like everyone else, but after having assurances that Washington’s line regarding the DRC would not change.
Resumption of military cooperation
Just before the election, military cooperation between the two countries resumed. For two years, U.S. Ambassador Mike Hammer has not stopped declaring that Félix Tshisekedi is the change that Congolese readers expect, even though the same administration had long defended the truth in the ballots that gave his rival Martin Fayulu the winner.
But now, if there is one line shared by the last US presidents, both Republicans and Democrats, it is to have a tough position with regard to the former head of state, Joseph Kabila. Parliamentarians from both parties called for sanctions against his relatives and staff. However, the former head of state had tried to approach Donald Trump’s administration. Lobbyists very close to the Republican president were even hired to try to soften Washington’s position. Although Joseph Kabila had not yet chosen a dolphin.
Arm wrestle
But this election in full arm wrestling between Felix Tshisekedi and Joseph Kabila, even as the new president consults, he explains himself to free himself from an agreement that prevents him from being able to pass his reforms, fears some tension on both sides. Both the Trump administration has supported President Tshisekedi.
