The night of March 31, 2026, was filled with celebration across the country as the national team defeated Jamaica 1-0, securing a World Cup spot for the first time in 52 years.
Residents in regions under AFC/M23 control, including the city of Goma, also celebrated the victory, demonstrating a sense of shared joy with citizens in other parts of the country, despite being under the rule of opposing factions.
On April 5, 2026, during festivities in Kinshasa honoring the team and thanking the players for their achievement, President Tshisekedi noted that the happiness of people in the eastern regions reinforced his confidence in reclaiming these areas.
He stated, “You saw the footage—there is joy in these territories controlled by the enemy, and we will reclaim them soon because of these forces, because of this momentum.”
The Head of State expressed optimism about regaining the regions, even as AFC/M23 maintained that it had no plans to relinquish control and warned that any government attacks would be dealt with.
Whenever the Congolese government has tried to retake lost areas, AFC/M23 has countered effectively, often seizing additional territory.
The international community has emphasized political negotiations as the only viable solution to halt the conflict, but President Tshisekedi has remained adamant.
There are reports that peace talks between the DRC government and AFC/M23 could resume in April 2026, though not in Doha, Qatar, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East; suggesting the venue may be moved to Switzerland.
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