The former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, has said that he has had to suspended his studies at the University of Johannesburg to focus on the escalating situation in his country. Kabila made the statement in an interview with the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation, the country’s state broadcaster. Kabila was in the southern African country to attend the burial of founding Namibian President Sam Nujoma. When asked about what he has been up to since leaving the presidency in 2019, Kabila said that he was engaged in various activities, including academics. “We left office as part of the Constitution and have been involved in various activities, including academic pursuits, which we intend to continue. However, if the situation back home continues to deteriorate, then we must ensure that the DRC does not go down the drain. We are here to assist and do exactly what we believe must be done to prevent things from worsening—which is, unfortunately, what is happening as we speak,” he stated. ALSO READ: DR Congo crisis: Kabila calls for removal of foreign troops Clarifying whether his academic pursuits referred to studying at the University of Johannesburg, he confirmed: “Yes, studying at the University of Johannesburg, which I have now suspended. We put our academic activities on hold two or three months ago to dedicate more time and attention to the situation back home.” ‘I’ve never been in the shadows’ Addressing reports that he was “emerging from the shadows,” Kabila refuted such claims. “Those reports are wrong. I’ve never been in the shadows—I’ve always been in the light. I was simply focusing on something else, and I always prefer to give my full attention to what I am doing to succeed. You can multitask, but when dealing with serious issues, multitasking is not an option,” he explained. Kabila reiterated that he had been dealing with significant matters, both academically and in the DR Congo, but now his country has become his top priority. Asked about his thoughts on allegations many are looking to him, especially members of his own party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), to help stabilize the DR Congo, Kabila emphasized that the country’s challenges could not be solved by a single individual. “The Congo is a nation of 120 million people. It has neighbours—not just those immediately surrounding it, but also from across the southern African region, such as Namibia and South Africa. I believe every Congolese citizen has a role to play, whether individually or collectively,” he said. He further stressed that the region also has its role to play in helping resolve the crisis. “We could have wanted things to be handled differently, and probably in a better way than they have been. But ultimately, good intentions matter the most. What is crucial now is to channel all these good intentions and generate enough positive energy to address the situation.” Kabila affirmed that his party and political platform remain actively involved in efforts to bring about peace, stability, and national cohesion in the country. “This is one of the major elements lacking in the DRC today, and it has contributed to the current crisis,” he noted. Kabila was asked about his role in the 2008 peace deal with rebel groups in eastern DR Congo and whether he should be seen as a key peacemaker in the current conflict. “We have always prioritized peace, understanding that development—any government’s ultimate goal—cannot be achieved without it. Economic prosperity for the people is impossible without peace, and peace cannot exist where there are injustices,” he stated. Kabila recalled that numerous agreements had been signed over the years, not just in 2008. He highlighted the Lusaka Agreement of 2001-2002, which led to the Sun City Agreement and established a transitional government until 2006. “Yes, our government faced challenges with rebellions, especially in the East. We addressed them through both negotiations and military capacity-building, which helped bring peace to 98 percent of the region,” he said. According to Kabila, the ongoing conflict has deep-rooted causes, including governance issues, injustices, and constitutional violations. He noted that internal instability often attracts external players, exacerbating the situation. Regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops as a step toward peace, Kabila recalled the bold decision made in 2001. “We believed that all foreign troops had to leave the DRC for peace to be achieved and to allow Congolese people the flexibility to resolve their issues. This decision, whether taken out of courage or youthfulness, led to most foreign troops withdrawing and left Congolese to handle their affairs—albeit with regional and international support, including from the United Nations.” However, he acknowledged that a similar approach today might not necessarily yield the same results and would require careful deliberation. “A country must be sovereign within its borders, making sovereign decisions, without multiple foreign armies battling it out—including mercenaries and hundreds of armed groups.” On mediation efforts in the DR Congo crisis Commenting on mediation efforts, including those led by Kenyan President William Ruto, Kabila advised that the key to resolving the crisis lies in engaging directly with Congolese citizens. “My advice, if anyone wanted it, would be to talk to the Congolese people. They know best what they are suffering from. While mediators from West Africa and other regions may have good intentions, no mediator can claim to understand the DRC better than its people,” he said. He emphasized that successful mediation requires three key elements: engaging the Congolese people, ensuring goodwill, and establishing guarantees that efforts will lead to lasting peace. “The process is still in its infancy, and I don’t have all the details. Therefore, I will refrain from commenting on President Ruto’s efforts or other initiatives, including those by church leaders. With time, we will assess the effectiveness of these interventions.” When asked about his relationship with current DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, Kabila recalled that they had initially formed a coalition government after he left office. “A coalition government was in place, but it was unilaterally ended when President Félix decided he did not need it. We took note of that decision.”
