The Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the latest nation to announce its intention to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, renewing a diplomatic commitment that aligns it with a growing list of countries recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The pledge was made during a bilateral meeting between Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Mikolo and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, according to a statement released by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 3, 2026. The Congolese foreign ministry confirmed the discussion but did not specify a timeline for implementation.
“Both sides emphasized the strengthening of cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, and security,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in its statement. “The Democratic Republic of the Congo reiterated its commitment to transferring its embassy to Jerusalem.”
With this announcement, the Democratic Republic of the Congo joins a small but expanding group of nations — including the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, and Kosovo — that have either moved their embassies to Jerusalem or pledged to do so. Most countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv, citing the unresolved status of Jerusalem and international consensus that the city’s final status should be determined through negotiations.
The United Nations has long maintained that Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980, declared null and void by Security Council Resolution 478, is not legally recognized. The UN continues to treat East Jerusalem as occupied territory under international law.
Analysis: DR Congo’s renewed pledge reflects shifting diplomatic alignments in Africa, where several countries have warmed ties with Israel in recent years, often amid broader realignments driven by economic partnerships and regional security considerations. The decision may also signal internal political calculations, as President Felix Tshisekedi seeks to diversify foreign relations amid ongoing challenges at home.
However, the practical steps toward relocating an embassy remain unclear. No official date has been set, and logistical, financial, and political hurdles could delay or complicate the move.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat welcomed the announcement, saying, “We appreciate the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s reaffirmation of its commitment to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
As of now, no other African nation has formally followed suit, though informal discussions continue among select regional partners.
Sources:
Al Jazeera News — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/3/dr-congo-joins-countries-pledging-embassy-move-to-jerusalem
Source: Al Jazeera News
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Story synopsis gathered from: Al Jazeera News — source
