The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is witnessing significant political developments amid an intensifying security crisis in its eastern provinces. In a move that has drawn widespread attention, the government has released opposition leader Jean-Marc Kabund, a former close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi. Kabund, once vice president of parliament and a key figure in Tshisekedi’s rise to power, was arrested in August 2022 after launching his own political party. He was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges including contempt of the head of state.
His unexpected release was confirmed by his lawyer and later acknowledged by a presidential spokesperson, who stated that Kabund had received a pardon. This decision comes at a time when Tshisekedi’s government is under increasing pressure due to the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels have taken control of major cities. The growing instability has led to speculation about Tshisekedi’s ability to maintain political control, with some opposition voices openly questioning the future of his presidency.
The unrest in eastern DRC has also triggered a worsening humanitarian crisis in neighboring Burundi. More than 40,000 people have fled across the border in the past two weeks to escape the ongoing violence. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that a single day last week saw an unprecedented 9,000 people entering Burundi, marking one of the largest refugee surges in the region’s history.
Many of the displaced have arrived in dire conditions, suffering from injuries and illnesses such as measles. Some have made dangerous journeys using makeshift boats to cross the Rusizi River, while others entered through official border crossings. UNHCR officials have described heartbreaking scenes, including a woman who lost two of her children to exhaustion shortly after reaching Burundi. The influx has overwhelmed several areas in northwestern Burundi, where refugees are temporarily housed in schools, churches, and an open-air stadium.
To address the growing crisis, UNHCR has launched an emergency appeal for $40.4 million to provide essential aid, with expectations that as many as 258,000 refugees could arrive in Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia in the coming weeks. The humanitarian agency is working to relocate displaced people to designated areas where they can receive proper care and support.
Amid these developments, the United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution urging Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 rebel group and withdraw its military presence from eastern Congo. The resolution condemns the ongoing advances of M23 and calls for diplomatic negotiations between Rwanda and the DRC to de-escalate the conflict. While Rwanda denies involvement, it argues that its military actions are aimed at countering Hutu militias it claims are allied with the Congolese army.
As the political and security crises deepen, international attention remains focused on the DRC and its neighboring countries, with urgent calls for diplomatic solutions to prevent further instability and humanitarian suffering.