Félix Tshisekedi

Félix Tshisekedi
Name	Félix Tshisekedi
Office	President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Term start	25 January 2019
Predecessor	Joseph Kabila
Party	Union for Democracy and Social Progress
Birth date	13 June 1963
Birth place	Kinshasa, DR Congo
Spouse	Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi

Félix Tshisekedi is a Congolese politician who has served as the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since January 2019. He is the son of the veteran opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi and a prominent figure within the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS). His election, announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), was contested but ultimately validated by the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Early life and education

Félix Tshisekedi was born in Kinshasa during the rule of President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu. He is the eldest son of Étienne Tshisekedi, the founder of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, a major opposition force. He pursued his higher education in Belgium, studying at the Institut d'enseignement supérieur social des communications in Brussels. His early life was marked by his father's prolonged political struggles against the regimes of Mobutu Sese Seko and later Laurent-Désiré Kabila.

Political career

Tshisekedi formally entered politics through the structures of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, the party built by his father. Following the death of Étienne Tshisekedi in 2017, he was elected president of the UDPS at the party's congress in Kinshasa. He later became the party's candidate for the December 2018 presidential election, positioning himself as a candidate for change after the 18-year presidency of Joseph Kabila. His campaign leveraged the legacy of his father and the UDPS's extensive network across the Kasai region and beyond.

Presidency

Félix Tshisekedi was inaugurated as president on 25 January 2019, succeeding Joseph Kabila in the nation's first peaceful transfer of power since independence from Belgium. His initial term was characterized by a complex power-sharing arrangement with allies of his predecessor, often referred to as the "Sacred Union of the Nation." He was re-elected for a second term following the December 2023 general election, a contest again marred by allegations of irregularities from opponents like Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi.

Domestic policy

His administration has focused on flagship initiatives such as free primary education, though implementation has faced challenges due to fiscal constraints. Security in the eastern provinces, particularly conflict with groups like the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), remains a paramount concern. Economic policy has aimed at reforming state-owned enterprises like Gécamines and attracting foreign investment in the mining sector, including for critical minerals like cobalt and coltan. Infrastructure projects, such as the rehabilitation of the Matadi–Kinshasa Road, have been prioritized.

Foreign policy

Tshisekedi's foreign policy has been heavily shaped by regional security dynamics. He has sought stronger military cooperation through the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community to combat armed groups. His tenure included the Democratic Republic of the Congo assuming the rotating presidency of the African Union in 2021. Relations with neighboring Rwanda have been severely strained due to Kigali's alleged support for the March 23 Movement, leading to diplomatic tensions and discussions at the United Nations Security Council. He has also strengthened ties with traditional partners like the United States and France.

Personal life

Félix Tshisekedi is married to First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, who runs a foundation focused on health and women's empowerment. The couple has four children. He is known to be a fan of Congolese rumba music. His younger brother, Mike Tshisekedi, is also active within the Union for Democracy and Social Progress political structures.

Category:Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Category:1963 births Category:Living people