The designation of Floribert Anzuluni Isiloketshi, born 5 January 1983 in Kinshasa, as the Democratic Republic of Congo’s new point person on regional integration has ignited a storm of criticism. Co-founder and coordinator of the citizen movement Filimbi (“whistle” in Swahili), Anzuluni’s history of incendiary rhetoric toward Congolese Tutsis, and the M23 rebel group calls into question the coherence and credibility of his mandate.
Analysts note that Anzuluni and Filimbi have repeatedly branded the M23 freedom fighters as foreigners, a label they deploy across media appearances. Such antagonistic language directly contradicts the spirit of regional integration, which hinges on dialogue, cooperation and the overcoming of historical antagonisms.
Observers recall Anzuluni’s prominent role in anti-Minembwe demonstrations, where he lent implicit support to discriminatory attacks on the Banyamulenge community of South Kivu. He also played a leading part in amplifying casualty figures from the Kipupu incidents in a way that fueled anti-Tutsi sentiment. These racist actions have stoked communal tensions in an already fragile eastern DRC.
Diplomatic sources warn that Anzuluni’s appointment could further fray ties between Kinshasa and Kigali. Relations between the two capitals have relied on a delicate balance since the 2012 M23 uprising, and nominating a figure perceived by Rwanda as openly hostile risks derailing ongoing rapprochement efforts.
For Congolese Tutsis in North and South Kivu, commonly referred to as Banyamulenge, the move appears to validate state-sanctioned exclusion. “It sends a chilling signal that discrimination may be institutionalized,” says a Banyamulenge community leader speaking on condition of anonymity. “How can we trust a regional integration agenda when one of its chief architects has stoked division?”
Proponents of the appointment argue that Anzuluni’s grassroots credibility and activism equip him to mobilize civic engagement around regional cooperation. Yet critics counter that transformative leadership demands bridge-building, not incendiary rhetoric. They urge Kinshasa to reconsider and select a representative whose track record embodies the reconciliation and inclusivity central to the Great Lakes’ stability.
As the DRC prepares to host a regional summit next month, the government faces mounting pressure to restore trust among its neighbors and marginalized communities. Without a swift course correction, what should be a forum for unity risks becoming another platform for entrenched divisions.
