On October 3, 2026, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) arrived in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, following a month of clashes between soldiers from the two countries along the Congo River. During his visit, Tshisekedi expressed his deep regret over the incidents and promised that RDC would provide compensation to those affected.
Tshisekedi traveled to Brazzaville by boat and was received by Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso. He then met with President Denis Sassou Nguesso for bilateral talks, interspersed with a working lunch. The two leaders discussed the recent clashes between their countries' soldiers, which occurred in late September near the towns of Makotimpoko in Brazzaville and Yumbi in RDC.
The clashes resulted in the deaths of several soldiers and the capture of two Republic of the Congo soldiers, who were later repatriated. Tshisekedi stated that he was deeply saddened by the events and emphasized that the people of Congo-Brazzaville and Congo-Kinshasa are one and the same. He described the violence as "a grave mistake with no justification."
During his visit, Tshisekedi also met with local officials and discussed ways to prevent similar incidents in the future. He assured that RDC would take responsibility for the actions of its soldiers and provide compensation to those affected. President Sassou Nguesso accompanied Tshisekedi to the Brazzaville port, where he boarded a boat to return to Kinshasa.
The visit aimed to ease tensions between the two countries and strengthen bilateral relations. Tshisekedi's trip was seen as a gesture of goodwill and a commitment to resolving the issues between the two nations. The two presidents discussed various topics, including trade, security, and cooperation.
The clashes along the Congo River have raised concerns about the security situation in the region. The incident has also sparked fears of a wider conflict between the two countries, which have a complex history of relations. Tshisekedi's visit was an effort to address these concerns and promote peace and stability in the region.
The meeting between Tshisekedi and Sassou Nguesso was seen as a positive step towards resolving the tensions between the two countries. The two leaders demonstrated a willingness to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution. The visit concluded with a commitment to strengthen cooperation and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- President Tshisekedi visits Brazzaville to address clashes between RDC and Congo soldiers.
- Tshisekedi promises compensation to those affected by the clashes.
- The visit aims to ease tensions and strengthen bilateral relations between RDC and the Republic of the Congo.
