Tibor Nagy, who served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2018 to 2021, has publicly expressed regret over his earlier support for the rise of DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi. Nagy acknowledged that during Tshisekedi’s initial presidential bid in 2018, he advocated for U.S. support, believing he would bring meaningful political change and better governance compared to previous leaders.
However, in a recent interview and public statements on X (formerly Twitter), Nagy said he was disappointed with the outcome, admitting that his expectations were misplaced. He stated that he had hoped Tshisekedi would prioritize the interests of the Congolese people, but now believes that has not been fully realized.
The controversy intensified after Tshisekedi reportedly expressed interest in constitutional changes that could allow him to run for a third presidential term, a move that has sparked strong criticism from opposition figures. Among them is Seth Kikuni, a Congolese opposition politician who has warned against extending presidential rule and called for strong resistance to the proposal.
Nagy also reiterated his broader criticism of the Congolese government, accusing it of failing to address ongoing insecurity and of being linked to armed conflicts in the eastern region. He referenced tensions involving armed groups such as the FDLR, which have long been part of regional security disputes, particularly involving Rwanda and eastern Congo.
Overall, the story reflects growing political tension in the DRC, where debates over constitutional limits, governance, and security continue to divide political leaders, opposition figures, and international observers.
