Democratic Republic of the Congo Reaffirms Plan to Relocate Embassy to Jerusalem

Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has reaffirmed his decision to move the nation's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, following recent diplomatic discussions. The announcement follows a visit to Israel by President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi, with both nations releasing a joint statement detailing steps toward the relocation.

The initiative builds on previous discussions that began in September 2023 during a meeting between Tshisekedi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Bilateral ties have steadily grown, underscored by Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo capital of Kinshasa in November.

President Tshisekedi has long expressed support for Israel, citing his Christian faith, while also navigating broader geopolitical relationships. The Democratic Republic of the Congo joins a select group of nations, including the United States, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay, that have previously announced or completed embassy moves to Jerusalem.

While Israel considers Jerusalem its undivided capital, the international community largely maintains that the city's final status must be determined through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem for a future state. The United Nations Security Council continues to oppose measures altering the city's diplomatic status.