Opinion Piece
Opinion Piece No. 015 – June 14th, 2026 By the Minister in charge of Foreign Trade
Minister in charge of Foreign Trade
In an opinion article published on Sunday, the Minister in charge of Foreign Trade of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Julien Paluku, reacted to the message issued by former President Joseph Kabila on June 11th, 2026, in which he stated that he had “still neither been heard nor understood.”
In his recent message of June 11th, 2026, Joseph Kabila laments that he has “neither been heard nor understood.”
Mr. Honorary President, how did it come to this?
From the glory of exercising absolute power in Kinshasa for 18 years to finding yourself today in the arms of Paul Kagame…
Who can understand you?
For years, you misled us into believing that we were jointly fighting the CNDP and later the successive versions of the M23, while the facts now demonstrate that you were in fact the driving force behind these movements, sending army officers and innocent civilians to their deaths.
Who can understand you?
Your current presence in Goma alongside the aggressors, including Makenga, whom you once dismissed from the national army, is clear evidence linking your actions to the tragedy endured by our populations in Goma, Masisi, Rubaya, Rutshuru, Bukavu, Kalehe and Walungu. One could even conclude that Makenga and his group were removed from the army precisely to enable them to reorganize.
Who can understand you?
You led us to believe that Laurent Nkunda had been arrested in Kigali, whereas it was merely part of a double game played with Kagame—the very Kagame with whom you now openly appear.
Who can understand you?
You made us believe that Bosco Ntaganda’s surrender at the United States Embassy in Kigali was a matter of chance, when in reality it was a secret arrangement between you and Paul Kagame designed to protect your own interests.
Who can understand you?
The deal that plunged our nation into bloodshed is now exposed for all to see. Faced with so many acts of betrayal and deception that have cost the lives of our fellow citizens, history itself offers a lesson to the entire political class.
Who can understand you?
How, then, could genuine opposition leaders continue to believe in you or follow your lead? They should simply turn to us for clarification. We, who once listened to you and walked alongside you, have chosen to leave you alone in this project of destroying the nation. Our calling and our sacred duty are instead to contribute actively to the reconstruction and recovery of our country.
Who can understand you?
Dear members of the opposition, learn from the past: we are prepared to save you from these claws by providing you with the real facts about your new ally. Open your eyes! Finally, Mr. Honorary President, as you yourself wrote, and I quote: « Fortunately, as the Scriptures teach us, there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not become known. Today, the facts speak for themselves. » End of quotation. There you have it. Have a good Sunday in Goma.