The Congolese government is increasingly stepping in a room of diplomatic isolation following President Félix Tshisekedi’s misbehavior towards neighboring countries in a bid to mask his failures.

Tshisekedi, who is looking for re-election after a five-year term with next to zero achievements, has invested more efforts in telling his compatriots that he is ’a man of commitment’ who faced bad neighbors.

But the Congolese know to separate the wheat from the chaff. They are not fools, as Tshisekedi thinks, to be convinced with his empty rhetoric.

Following the creation of a new Congolese politico-military opposition platform, Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), by Congolese opposition  figure Corneille Nangaa, in Nairobi on December 15, Kinshasa threatened that Kenya had to face its consequences.

Nangaa called for "the union of all political, social and military forces" to "rebuild the state" and "restore peace" in DRC.  The ex-head of DRC's electoral commission, made the announcement in Nairobi, Kenya, accompanied, in a hotel in the Kenyan capital, by M23 president Bertrand Bisimwa.

The exiled politician announced the creation of a political-military alliance with M23 rebels and other armed groups in order to "save the country."

Kinshasa turned red.

“We have just spoken with my colleague [Minister] of the interior and my chief of staff is instructed to receive the Kenyan ambassador [to Kinshasa] who we will ask to give us explanations of everything that is happening and if necessary, we will not avoid expressing our disapproval,” said Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Christophe Lutundula on December 16, while waiting for the summoned Kenyan envoy.

The AFC creation in Kenya sparked a diplomatic row between Nairobi and Kinshasa.

The Congolese government angrily blamed Kenya for the coalition’s creation.

Nairobi quickly disassociated itself from any “utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the DRC.”

Kenya stated that it affirms its non-involvement in the internal affairs of DRC and commits to continue supporting the peace, security, and democratic consolidation of the country.

Tshisekedi has been alleging that Rwanda and Uganda support the M23 rebels, which led to Kinshasa cutting off all forms of cooperation with Kigali.

Kigali repeatedly denied the allegation and, instead, accused Kinshasa of harboring and arming the FDLR, a genocidal militia.

Sources from Kinshasa say Tanzania refused Tshisekedi’s request of collaborating with him militarily, to strengthen his offensive attacks against M23 rebels.

But Burundi deployed over 6,000 troops to support the Congolese national army in violating peace processes initiated by regional leaders to halt insecurity in eastern DRC.

Anti-Tshisekedi rebellion broadened

Nangaa was the head of the national electoral commission, CENI, when Tshisekedi assumed office.

Since going into political exile in August, he has heavily criticized Tshisekedi, whose “victory” in the December 2018 presidential election he had declared.

September saw Nangaa affirming the existence of power-sharing agreement between former Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Tshisekedi which preceded the publication of the final results.

“I am one of its co-authors. This unalterable agreement was signed before witnesses, by President Tshisekedi and his predecessor", Nangaa wrote; noting that it was validated and certified by the South African president, the former Kenyan president and the Egyptian president.

On December 15, Nangaa openly allied himself with several Congolese rebel movements, including the M23, to form the AFC project for "national unity and stability".

The AFC creation was justified as a response to the weakness of the Congolese state over three decades and its inability to restore authority throughout the country.

The components that joined the AFC include armed groups in different regions including Ituri, Katanga, North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces.

The alliance has three political groups, 17 political parties, and 270 personalities. It has numerous civil society groups including 23 citizen movements and 41 organizations. Additionally, a hundred organizations from the Congolese diaspora around the world are supporting the AFC.

Nangaa said that at least nine armed groups, including the M23, had already joined the AFC.

While promising to do everything to restore stability and create a more suitable economic environment in the face of the failure of the current policy, Nangaa denounced the "plundering of public property" and "misappropriation of funds".

Tshisekedi has broken all his promises but the escalating insecurity in eastern DRC and increased corruption during his term, have been strong points for his opponents to highlight his incompetence.

Worse still, Tshisekedi’s failures are increasingly becoming a disaster to the Congolese people, from escalating internal hostilities to ruining foreign policy.

If Tshisekedi allows the December 20 elections to be held freely, the Congolese will have some hope for peace. Unfortunately, he has set the stage to steal his way into a second term, which will worsen a bad situation.

The AFC’s criticisms of Tshisekedi’s regime are on point. But how will they right the wrongs? Time will tell.