Coming to power in 2019, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi inherited a country deeply weakened by decades of armed conflict, poor governance, corruption, and weakened state institutions. The crises currently affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are the result of a long historical process and cannot be attributed solely to the president currently in office.
The security situation in the eastern part of the country, marked by the presence of numerous armed groups and regional interference, predates his presidency. Likewise, the country’s economic difficulties stem from years of poor management of natural resources, unbalanced contracts, and the state’s limited capacity to ensure sustainable development.
Since taking office, President Félix Tshisekedi has launched several reforms, particularly in the areas of education, governance, the digitalization of public services, and the fight against corruption. These reforms, however, have faced significant resistance and deep-rooted structural challenges, meaning that they require time before their full impact can be realized.
From this perspective, assessing his presidency solely on the basis of the country’s ongoing challenges would overlook the weight of the legacy he inherited. His supporters argue that he is working to gradually rebuild the Congolese state and that his overall record should be evaluated in light of the historical constraints and complex realities he continues to face.
