Keypoints:
- Tshisekedi says Kagame seeks to divide DR Congo
- Kigali yet to respond to latest accusation
- Doha peace talks expected to resume this week
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DR Congo) President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwandan leader Paul Kagame of seeking to divide his country and annex the mineral-rich eastern region. The comments, shared on Sunday by Tshisekedi’s office, deepen tensions between the two neighbours after months of faltering peace efforts.
Speaking to members of the Congolese community in Egypt — including students, traders, workers and military trainees — Tshisekedi described Kagame’s motives as ‘belligerent and hegemonic’.
‘His goal is to divide our country and occupy, or even annex, the eastern part, which is a land very rich in mineral and agricultural resources,’ Tshisekedi said.
Rwanda has yet to issue a response to the latest accusations.
Missed peace opportunity in Luanda
The Congolese leader said both governments had missed a chance to restore peace in December 2024 when Kagame failed to attend a summit in Luanda, Angola. Tshisekedi argued that the absence showed Kigali’s lack of commitment to peace.
‘We had a unique opportunity to reach an agreement,’ he said. ‘But unfortunately, Rwanda’s behaviour revealed its true intentions.’
He maintained that despite the setback, Kinshasa would continue pursuing diplomacy to end the years-long conflict that has displaced millions in eastern Congo.
Fresh talks in Doha and Washington
Tshisekedi confirmed that negotiations between the Congolese government and M23 rebels — mediated by Qatar — will resume in Doha this week. Once the Doha process concludes, he said he plans to meet Kagame in Washington to finalise two pending peace agreements: one signed in July between Kinshasa and the M23 rebels, and another between Congo and Rwanda mediated by the US capital.
‘We have succeeded in creating momentum in the international community aimed at sanctioning Rwanda,’ Tshisekedi added, referencing ongoing pressure from Western and African partners to halt Kigali’s alleged backing of the M23 rebellion.
Regional and international reactions
The United Nations, Kinshasa, and several Western governments have long accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which Kigali denies. Fighting between Congolese forces and the M23 — now operating under the coalition banner AFC/M23 — continues despite a ceasefire agreement signed in July in Doha. Both sides have blamed each other for breaching the truce.
Tshisekedi’s latest remarks follow his October appeal to Kagame at the European Union’s Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, where he urged Rwanda to end hostilities and rein in the rebels. In response, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe dismissed his comments as ‘political theatrics which have become ridiculous’.
The renewed accusations highlight the growing diplomatic rift between the two nations as peace efforts falter and violence persists in eastern Congo.
