The Rwandan embassy in Washington has issued a sharp rebuttal to claims made by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding an encounter at a U.S. hotel, labeling Kinshasa’s version of events as “despicable lies” and a “gross distortion of facts.”
The dispute centers on a security incident involving delegations from both nations, including the DRC’s First Lady, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, who is in Washington for a summit hosted by Melania Trump. According to the Rwandan version of events released on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the incident was a minor misunderstanding in a public corridor. Kigali maintains that an unarmed security official for a high-ranking Rwandan dignitary was briefly blocked from an elevator by Congolese security forces.
The embassy described the behavior of the Congolese team as “inappropriate” for a shared space but emphasized that no escalation occurred. To avoid further tension, the Rwandan delegation reportedly relocated to a different hotel, during which they claim their members were harassed and filmed by unidentified individuals.
In contrast, Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya Katembwe characterized the event as an attempted unauthorized entry into the First Lady’s hotel. While assuring the public that the First Lady is safe, Katembwe stated that the DRC is coordinating with American authorities to identify the individuals involved, accusing Rwanda of employing a “strategy of lies.”
The Rwandan embassy concluded its statement by categorically refuting the Congolese Minister of Information’s press briefing, calling his remarks “blatant falsehoods” and urging the public to reject “deceitful fabrications” as investigations into the diplomatic friction continue.
AC/fss/abj/APA