FACT-CHECK: Old Image Misused to Claim DRC President Celebrated Valentine’s Day in Germany
A reverse image search confirms that the photo was taken in 2021, not in 2025. The image captures a moment from March 9, 2021, when President Tshisekedi surprised his wife on her birthday.
A tweet by journalist Andrew Mwenda claims that Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi was celebrating Valentine’s Day in Germany. The tweet is accompanied by a photo of President Tshisekedi and his wife, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, seemingly reinforcing the claim.
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However, this claim is false and misleading. A reverse image search confirms that the photo was taken in 2021, not in 2025. The image captures a moment from March 9, 2021, when President Tshisekedi surprised his wife on her birthday. The event was well-documented at the time, with multiple sources reporting on it.
There is no credible evidence to suggest that President Tshisekedi was in Germany celebrating Valentine’s Day. However, the President is currently in Germany to take part in the 61st Munich Security Conference to be held from February 14 to 16, 2025.
The use of an old image to support this claim is a classic example of misinformation through mis-contextualized media—a technique often used to shape misleading narratives.
This incident highlights the importance of verifying images and sources before sharing information, especially from influential public figures. Spreading such misinformation can distort public perception and contribute to the spread of false narratives.
Verdict: FALSE. The image is from 2021 and is unrelated to recent events.
