Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda are facing significant challenges as both nations engage in a heated exchange of rhetoric, despite calls for a ceasefire.
The escalation comes amidst Angolan mediation efforts, which aim to bring the two nations back to the negotiating table. However, recent statements from both Congolese and Rwandan leaders have reignited tensions in the volatile Great Lakes region.
Congolese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Guy Kabombo Muadianvita, fueled the tensions on Saturday, stating, “If we have a strong army, no neighboring country will dare challenge us,” during a visit to wounded soldiers in Kinshasa. This statement was widely interpreted as a direct warning to Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC.
In response, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, speaking to citizens as part of the “Kwegera Abaturage” program, declared, “We must not be afraid to speak out, to fight for ourselves and against those who want to destroy us.”
Minister Muadianvita further called on the Congolese military to remain vigilant against external threats, urging them not to be swayed by “speeches of traitors.” He reiterated the DRC Armed Forces’ motto, “Never betray the Congo.”
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe defended his country’s position, asserting that Rwanda is taking measures to protect its population from a “permanent threat for 30 years.” He denied any direct involvement in the DRC, stating that “the M23 is a Congolese movement” and that “Rwanda is not taking territory in eastern DRC.”
The Angolan presidency has reiterated the need for a ceasefire that includes an end to “all hostile actions against civilian populations, as well as any progress on the ground,” to facilitate peace talks between Kinshasa and the M23 in Luanda.
This diplomatic initiative comes as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced the end of its military mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the gradual withdrawal of its troops.
The intensifying verbal conflict between Kinshasa and Kigali raises concerns about a potential breakdown in mediation efforts, as the ongoing conflict continues to result in thousands of casualties and the displacement of millions of people.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA