Kinshasa, DR Congo (Running Africa — The Democratic Republic of Congo has renewed plans to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, marking another step in President Felix Tshisekedi’s push to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.
The announcement followed Tshisekedi’s visit to Israel and talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on September 1.
In a joint declaration, the two governments said consultations would continue towards relocating the DR Congo embassy to Jerusalem, while Israel would work towards opening a resident embassy in Kinshasa.
No timeline for either move has been announced.
DR Congo and Israel Strengthen Diplomatic Ties
The embassy plan is not new. Tshisekedi first announced the proposed relocation in September 2023 after meeting Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Three years earlier, Tshisekedi announced plans to appoint a Congolese ambassador to Israel after a two-decade hiatus and to establish an economic section in Jerusalem, while maintaining the embassy in Tel Aviv.
Relations have since expanded, with both governments seeking greater cooperation in areas including security, agriculture, health, technology, and economic development.
Tshisekedi has maintained a supportive stance towards Israel during his presidency, citing his Christian faith as one reason for the relationship.
Why the Jerusalem Embassy Move Matters
The decision carries significant diplomatic weight because Jerusalem’s status remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel considers Jerusalem its capital and has encouraged countries to establish embassies there. Palestinians seek occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Most countries with diplomatic relations with Israel continue to maintain their embassies in the Tel Aviv area, arguing that Jerusalem’s final status should be resolved through negotiations.
The United Nations Security Council has previously rejected measures intended to alter Jerusalem’s status and called on countries not to establish diplomatic missions in the city.
The United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018. Guatemala, Honduras, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay are among the countries that have also established embassies there.
For DR Congo, the renewed commitment signals Tshisekedi’s broader effort to deepen international partnerships at a time when his government continues to navigate security challenges in eastern Congo and strengthen its diplomatic standing abroad.
