Congo President Announces Unity Government in Response to Eastern Crisis

On Saturday, the office of the Congolese President Felix Tshiekedi, said he will launch a unity government as he faces domestic pressure over his handling of an offensive by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern provinces.

The M23’s seizure of eastern Congo and important mineral deposits has sparked concerns of a larger conflict, prompting some members of the opposition to predict his reign will end soon.

Adressing the public on Saturday, Tshisekedi told told a meeting of the ruling Sacred Union coalition not to be distracted by internal quarrels: “We must unite … let’s stand together to face the enemy.”

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Tina Salama, presidency spokesperson said Tshisekedi would form a government of national unity and make changes in the leadership of the coalition, without giving further details.

Since the beginning of the year, Congo has suffered consecutive losses in North and South Kivu provinces, fuelling criticism of the authorities’ military approach.

Related: Militia kills at least 51 civilians in east Congo village attack. 

Criticising the move to form a unity government, opposition figure Herve Diakiese said “Tshisekedi management is one of the causes of the current crisis.”

“He is more concerned with saving his power, whereas we are more concerned with saving the Congo, and this can be done with or without him,” he added