DRC President Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of “Bellicose and hegemonic” aims
In a speech to the Congolese community in Egypt, President Félix Tshisekedi leveled serious accusations against his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame. The Congolese leader described Rwanda’s intentions as “bellicose and hegemonic,” asserting that Kigali seeks to divide the DRC to annex its eastern region.
President Tshisekedi framed these remarks within the context of failed peace processes between the two nations.
He referenced the collapse of negotiations in December 2024, when Rwanda boycotted a summit in Luanda, thereby depriving the region of a potential peace agreement.
The security crisis in eastern Congo, marked by the activity of the M23 rebel group, remains central to the tensions.
The head of state clearly linked the persistent instability in the region to Rwanda’s alleged ambitions to control its rich mineral and agricultural resources.
These statements come amid a strained diplomatic context where international mediation efforts have struggled to ease relations between the two neighbors.
The message was directed at a key audience abroad, composed of Congolese students, businesspeople, and military trainees.
This firm stance underscores the persistent difficulty in finding a lasting solution to the conflict that has plagued eastern DRC for decades, despite multiple regional and international peace initiatives.
Gilbert FOTSO
