09/12/2026
In this episode of Congo Unfiltered, host Gaëtan-Dauphin Nzowo examines the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s deepening relationship with Israel and the Tshisekedi administration’s argument that this rapprochement serves Congo’s national interest.
The discussion considers the potential benefits presented by Kinshasa—including cooperation in security, defense, technology, agriculture and investment—while examining critical questions surrounding Israel’s longstanding security relationship with Rwanda. The episode also reviews findings from United Nations experts concerning military technology used by the Rwanda Defence Force and M23, as well as reports that Rwandan military personnel received training in Israel.
The episode further examines President Tshisekedi’s proposed relocation of the DRC Embassy to Jerusalem, the implications for Congo’s positions within the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement, and the importance of consistently applying principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.
Finally, the analysis places the Israel rapprochement within a broader political context—from the disputed 2018 presidential election and subsequent international recognition of Félix Tshisekedi, to his earlier rapprochement with Paul Kagame and the ongoing debate over constitutional reform.
At the center of the episode is a fundamental question:
When does the pursuit of Congo’s national interest become indistinguishable from the political interests of those governing the country?
The program concludes with a discussion of the DRC national football team, Sébastien Desabre’s latest call-ups, and the emergence of a new generation of Congolese and diaspora players following Congo’s historic return to the World Cup.
Congo Unfiltered is a Friends of the Congo program providing analysis and perspectives on the political, economic and geopolitical forces shaping the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Congo Unfiltered — Beyond the Headlines.
