President Felix Tshisekedi’s abrupt departure from the Francophone countries’ summit garners widespread attention, diverting focus from the agenda and stirring diplomatic tensions.
The summit of French-speaking countries in Paris over the weekend was almost overshadowed by a walk-out staged by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi.
In a move that embarrassed French diplomacy, Tshisekedi boycotted the summit’s heads of state retreat to protest against French President Emmanuel Macron for not mentioning the war in eastern Congo during his opening speech.
Tshisekedi also did not attend a luncheon organized by Louise Mushikiwabo, the leader of the Organisation of Francophone Countries, on Saturday at noon.
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Prior to assuming the role of chief for the organization, Mushikiwabo spent several years as Rwanda’s foreign minister.
Kinshasa viewed Macron’s omission of the war in eastern DRC from his statement as an effort by Paris to placate Kigali.
According to Congo and the United Nations, Rwandan troops are collaborating with M23 rebels in combat on Congolese territory.
During a press conference on Saturday evening, Macron stated that he was not taking sides and expressed his support for both countries to come to an agreement in negotiations mediated by Angola.
Prior to the summit’s commencement, Macron conducted separate meetings with the leaders of Rwanda and Congo.
