Félix Tshisekedi’s Departure from Kinshasa Sparks Speculation

The sudden departure of President Félix Tshisekedi from Kinshasa has ignited widespread speculation in the Congolese capital. Did he leave or not? That question looms over the city.

On Friday, February 7, 2025, at precisely 3:21 AM, two presidential planes took off from N’djili Airport in complete secrecy. Tshisekedi embarked on what he described as a "last-chance mission." Earlier that day, he had confided in his mother, Marthe, expressing deep concerns about the situation. His family and close associates remain anxious.

The rapid fall of Goma and the M23 rebel group's advance toward Bukavu airport have caused panic at the highest levels of government. Some members of Tshisekedi’s family, seizing the opportunity created by the release of Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian expert of Congolese origin, reportedly thru negotiations from Brussels.

Chadian Reinforcements: A Risky Gamble

What stands out in this secretive departure, which comes just before a crucial summit in Dar es Salaam on February 8, is Tshisekedi’s chosen destination: Doha, Qatar. Inside the presidency, rumors suggest he has secured a deal with Chadian leader Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby for military reinforcements.

"The Chadians are ready to intervene, but they demand cash payments," insiders say. Qatar has reportedly agreed to finance the operation but is demanding guarantees, still wary after being misled in a previous mining deal linked to Congolese official Corneille Nangaa, now political leader of AFC.

Military Experts Express Doubts

Despite these last-ditch efforts, military experts remain sceptical. One officer pointed out that while Chadian troops are battle-hardened for desert warfare, they would struggle in the dense forests, hills, and river networks of eastern Congo. Former DRC warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba, who once fought the Chadians with Ugandan forces, experienced that they are ill-suited for the region’s complex terrain.

Political Manoeuvring in the Gulf

From Doha, Tshisekedi initially planned to attend the Dar es Salaam summit via videoconference—an option that frustrated leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC), who were meeting in person to address the crisis.

Meanwhile, his private advisor, Kahumbu Mandungu, known as "Kao," is working tirelessly to secure funding from Gulf contacts. Accused of personally profiting from arms contracts, Kao is nonetheless leveraging his extensive network in the region, knowing that failure could have dire consequences.

Corruption Scandals and Power Struggles

Within Tshisekedi’s inner circle, three generals are facing heavy scrutiny:

• Franck Ntumba, Head of the Military House, is under investigation for corruption linked to the recruitment of Franco-Romanian mercenaries. Of the 2,000 mercenaries allegedly hired, only 500 contracts have been accounted for, leading to a suspected embezzlement of $160 million over 18 months. Ntumba has reportedly admitted to acting as a middleman between financial backers, the First Lady, and Jacques Tshisekedi. Despite the scandal, the president has kept him under protection.
• Christian Ndaywel, former head of military intelligence, and Tshiwewe, the former Chief of Staff, are also facing corruption accusations.

Meanwhile, the security situation in eastern Congo continues to deteriorate. The fall of Bukavu and violent clashes between local armed groups (Wazalendo) in South Kivu—especially in Uvira—have pushed the region to the brink of chaos.

Tshisekedi’s future

Tshisekedi’s departure and the uncertain military response raised urgent questions about the future of his presidency and the stability of the Democratic Republic of Congo, even thou he did return after his travelling to Europe where he met France president Emmanuel Macron and other leaders in Munich, Germany.