The Democratic Republic of Congo and Israel have revived plans to relocate Kinshasa’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as the two countries seek to deepen diplomatic, economic and security relations.
A joint declaration issued following talks between Congolese President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the two sides would continue consultations towards moving the Congolese embassy to Jerusalem.
Israel, in turn, is considering opening a resident embassy in Kinshasa.
No timetable has been announced for either move, meaning the plans remain subject to further diplomatic consultations and implementation arrangements.
If completed, the relocation would place DR Congo among a relatively small number of countries maintaining their Israeli embassies in Jerusalem.
Tshisekedi Visit Deepens Bilateral Ties
The latest development followed Tshisekedi’s visit to Israel at the end of August and beginning of September.
He held talks with Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, with discussions covering security, defence, agriculture, infrastructure, energy and advanced technology.
Tshisekedi described the objective as building a modern and mutually beneficial partnership measured not simply by agreements but by their implementation and benefits for both countries.
The Congolese president also raised the continuing security and humanitarian crisis in eastern DR Congo and reiterated his government’s commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Security cooperation could become particularly important as Kinshasa searches for international partners capable of strengthening its military and technological capabilities.
Eastern Congo has remained unstable amid conflict involving the M23 rebel movement and other armed groups, making defence, intelligence and surveillance technology increasingly important to the government.
Jerusalem Move Carries Diplomatic Weight
Moving the embassy would have significance beyond bilateral relations.
Jerusalem’s diplomatic status remains one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Most countries have therefore historically maintained their embassies in or around Tel Aviv pending a negotiated settlement.
The United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, and a small number of other countries subsequently followed.
DR Congo would join that limited group if the current proposal is implemented.
Similar Plan Announced in 2023
There is, however, reason for caution over how quickly the move could happen.
The two countries announced similar intentions in September 2023 after Tshisekedi met Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
At that time, Israel indicated it would reopen an embassy in Kinshasa, while DR Congo said it would move its mission to Jerusalem.
Three years later, neither arrangement had been fully implemented.
The latest joint declaration therefore effectively revives those commitments, with both governments saying they will continue discussions over how to put them into effect.
For Tshisekedi, closer relations with Israel could provide access to cooperation in security, agriculture, water management, technology and investment at a time when his government is confronting significant economic and security challenges.
Whether the embassy relocation ultimately proceeds will provide an important indication of how far that diplomatic realignment is prepared to go.
