Felix Tshisekedi has publicly urged Paul Kagame to end his support for the M23 rebels, while Kigali has accused him of playing politics.
Tshisekedi Reaches Out to Kagame at Brussels Forum, but Rwanda Retaliates
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, speaking at the Global Gateway investment forum in Brussels, called on his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame to help end the M23 insurgency.
“It is not too late to do the right thing… I am reaching out to you, Mr. President, so that we can make peace between decent people,” Tshisekedi said, addressing Kagame directly.
However, Kigali’s response was lukewarm: in Rwanda, his words were called political posturing.
Conflict threatening the region
The M23 rebels have launched a lightning offensive this year and now control more territory than ever before in eastern Congo.
The UN says Rwanda has command and control over the group, although Kigali denies this, saying its forces are acting only in self-defense.
Since the beginning of the year, thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes in fighting.
US-Qatar mediation
Despite the signing of a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda in Washington in June, implementation has stalled. The US and Qatar, which are acting as mediators, have reported delays in implementing key points.
US President Donald Trump has previously said he wants to restore stability to the region and support investment in mineral extraction, which is of strategic importance to the US.
An economic framework agreement between Congo and Rwanda was expected to be signed last week, but Kinshasa, Reuters sources said, refused to sign.
Rwanda blames Kinshasa
Rwandan officials reacted sharply to Tshisekedi’s speech.
Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe wrote on X (Twitter) that “the only one who can stop the escalation is President Tshisekedi himself.”
Rwandan presidential spokeswoman Stephanie Nyombayire also accused the Congolese leader of ostensible pacifism, saying he “is portraying a victim of a conflict he himself caused.”
Outlook
The conflict between Congo and Rwanda, which has been going on since the 1994 genocide, remains one of the most complex in Central Africa.
Despite international efforts, fighting continues, and the peace agreement appears to be in danger of collapse.
Related: Former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila Sentenced to Death in Absence
