Tensions Between Rwanda and DRC Escalate Amid Ongoing M23 Conflict
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took a sharp turn this past weekend, as the DRC recalled its embassy staff from Kigali amidst escalating tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.
In a statement released on Saturday, the DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision to withdraw its diplomats from Rwanda, citing growing concerns over the situation. The statement also ordered the Rwandan embassy in Kinshasa to halt all diplomatic and consular activities within 48 hours.
The roots of the conflict are grounded in long-standing allegations. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that Rwanda has consistently denied. In return, Rwanda has accused the DRC of aiding the remnants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia group implicated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
These reciprocal accusations have only served to intensify diplomatic hostility between the two nations, which share a long, contentious border and have been embroiled in multiple conflicts over the years.
The latest diplomatic fallout saw the last Rwandan diplomat in Kinshasa leave the Congolese capital, following reports of threats from DRC officials.
In response, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, condemned the situation, stressing that the diplomat’s departure was under duress.
This rupture in diplomatic ties further complicates an already volatile situation in the region, adding to the complex web of tensions that continue to undermine peace efforts in Central Africa.
