- Politique
President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo urged Congolese nationals in the United States to stand united and stay alert against division, speaking Wednesday in Houston after his team’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Portugal.
Addressing a gathering of the Congolese diaspora in the Texas city, the head of state focused on the security situation in eastern DR Congo and condemned those he views as enemies of the nation.
“Their accomplices have gone mad. Stay united. Do not let them deceive you, do not let them use regionalism to divide you. Refuse to betray your country. There are still sorcerers among us. We thought they were only in Rwanda, but they have infiltrated us,” Tshisekedi said.
The president also praised the performance of the Leopards, the national football team, declaring they had made the country proud. “The Leopards have made us proud. I asked FIFA if we advance from the group stage, they will add extra tickets for the Congolese here. Fear nothing. We will provide resources to our ambassador,” he stated.
For Tshisekedi, the team’s display carried a message beyond the pitch. “Today, everyone who fears Cristiano Ronaldo saw how we played, a country at war like ours. Let us follow our national anthem and raise our heads. Show the dignity of being Congolese,” he declared.
The president announced he would soon leave the United States to return to DR Congo. “I am going back to Congo to handle other matters. I came just to bring luck for the first match. We are putting resources in place so you can follow the team,” he said.
Speaking again about eastern DR Congo, he expressed confidence that conditions would improve in the coming months. “I have faith that in the days ahead, all of Congo will be free. Our brothers and sisters are celebrating in Goma, in Bukavu; we will be together. The enemies had infiltrated, and today we have learned and taken the lesson. Now we must build something greater,” he said.
In a speech that intertwined football, politics, and national identity, Tshisekedi also urged Congolese to take pride in their nation and invest across various sectors of society.
“We started with the Leopards, and we will go into all other areas: football, basketball, science, education. Be proud to be Congolese. It is my mission to restore that pride to you,” he affirmed.
DR Congo earned its first-ever point in a World Cup on Wednesday in Houston, drawing 1-1 with Portugal.
