Unmasking the Shadows: A Geopolitical Dissection of Félix Tshisekedi’s COP30 Address

Félix Tshisekedi, Brésil November 6th 2025

Félix Tshisekedi delivered his address at the COP30 Leaders’ Plenary in Belém, Brazil, on November 6, 2025. He positioned the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a “pays-solution” in the global climate fight, emphasizing the Congo Basin’s role as a carbon sink while accusing unnamed actors of waging an “ecological war” in the east asking to criminalize ecocide internationally. The speech’s contradictions—between stated goals and ground realities—undermine its credibility.

1. The “Ecological War” Claim: Selective Outrage, Systemic Complicity

Tshisekedi declared:

“La RDC continue à faire face à une guerre écologique provoquant un ecocide profond dans sa partie Est.”

This framing implies external aggression is the primary driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss. The most severe ecological degradation in eastern DRC occurs in areas under the influence of militias created and supported by Kinshasa.

• Wazalendo Coalition: A conglomerate of over 300 armed groups, officially mobilized by the DRC government since 2022 to support FARDC operations. UN Group of Experts reports document their role in illegal logging, charcoal production, and habitat destruction in South Kivu, North Kivu, and Ituri.

• DRC-Backed FDLR : The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda operate within Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga National Parks. They control portions of the charcoal economy, felling thousands of hectares yearly. Park rangers report that FDLR zones suffer the highest rates of tree loss and wildlife poaching—elephants, gorillas, and okapis are systematically targeted. Despite UN sanctions, the DRC has not removed them.

Areas stabilized by the AFC-M23 administration in parts of Rutshuru and Masisi—outside central government control—show ecological recovery in 2025. Global Forest Watch data indicate reduced illegal logging compared to 2023. Regrowth of secondary forest has occurred in previously cleared zones. Antelope, buffalo, and primate populations have returned.

These gains are not mentioned in Tshisekedi’s narrative.

2. Deflection as Strategy: Externalizing Internal Failures

Tshisekedi uses international platforms to highlight eastern instability:

• UN General Assembly (September 2023, 2024, 2025)

• African Union summits

• COP30 (November 2025)

• Etc

This externalization serves a domestic purpose. A 2025 audit by the DRC’s Court of Accounts revealed that only 15% of allocated conservation funds reached eastern protected areas.

By framing ecological collapse as an imported crisis, Tshisekedi avoids accountability for:

• Failure to professionalize the national army

• Tolerance of FDLR economic networks

• Inability to enforce park boundaries

3. Domestic Political Calculus: War as Political Lifeline

Opposition leaders argue that prolonged eastern conflict serves Tshisekedi’s political survival. He is refusing to implement all signed agreements to use this war as an excuse to stay in power beyond the two term limits.

4. Leadership Without Ownership

Tshisekedi’s addresses consistently blame others:

• Deforestation? Caused by aggressors.

• Displacement of 7.5 million? Imposed from outside.

• Corruption in conservation? Not mentioned.

Sovereignty implies responsibility. A leader who governs through blame rather than reform cannot build durable institutions, secure borders, or protect ecosystems.

The Congo Basin requires:

• Dismantling militia economies, starting with Wazalendo and FDLR

• Transparent allocation of climate and conservation funds

• Enforcement of park boundaries with trained, accountable forces

Until Kinshasa confronts these internal drivers, claims of “ecocide” ring hollow—and the forests continue to burn. The term "ecocide," which refers to the extensive destruction of ecosystems, particularly through human actions, has become a rallying cry for environmental advocates and activists worldwide. However, for the claims of ecocide to hold weight and lead to meaningful change, it is essential for the Congolese government and its institutions to address the underlying issues that contribute to environmental degradation.

One of the most pressing internal drivers is the pervasive corruption that plagues various levels of governance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Corruption undermines environmental laws and regulations, allowing illegal logging, mining, and land grabbing to flourish unchecked. When officials prioritize personal gain over the well-being of the environment and the communities that depend on it, the forests suffer. This systemic corruption not only facilitates the destruction of vast forest areas but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement among local populations who rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.

Moreover, the lack of effective governance and enforcement mechanisms exacerbates the situation. The DRC has a complex administrative structure, and often, the laws that are in place to protect the environment are poorly enforced or completely ignored. Without a strong commitment to uphold environmental regulations, the forests become vulnerable to exploitation by both domestic and international actors. The absence of robust legal frameworks and the failure to implement existing laws create an environment where ecocide can occur with little to no repercussions for those responsible.

In addition to corruption and weak governance, socio-economic factors play a significant role in driving deforestation and environmental degradation. Many communities in the DRC face extreme poverty, leading individuals to engage in unsustainable practices such as slash-and-burn agriculture or illegal logging as a means of survival. The urgent need for economic development often overshadows environmental considerations, resulting in a short-term focus that neglects the long-term health of the forests. To effectively combat ecocide, it is crucial for Kinshasa to implement sustainable development initiatives that provide alternative livelihoods for these vulnerable populations, ensuring that they do not have to choose between their immediate needs and the preservation of their environment.

Furthermore, there is a pressing need for Tshisekedi to stop supporting militias like the FDLR that only survive on those forests. Furthermore, there is a pressing need for Tshisekedi to stop supporting militias like the FDLR, which not only perpetuate violence and instability within the region but also rely heavily on the resources found in the forests for their survival. The FDLR, or the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, has been known to engage in illegal activities such as poaching, logging, and mining, all of which contribute to environmental degradation and the loss of biodiversity in these vital ecosystems. The forests serve as a critical habitat for numerous species and play an essential role in the livelihoods of local communities who depend on them for sustenance, medicine, and economic activities. By supporting such militias, Tshisekedi risks undermining the very foundation of ecological balance and community well-being.