DR Congo’s President Accuses Rwanda of Seeking to Split the Country
Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accused his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, of attempting to divide and annex the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo. The statement came during a speech shared Sunday by his office.
Tshisekedi addressed members of the Congolese community in Egypt, including students, traders, workers, and military trainees. He discussed the ongoing security and humanitarian challenges in eastern Congo, referencing the peace processes involving the Congolese government, Rwanda, and M23 rebels.
“His intentions are belligerent and hegemonic. His goal is to divide our country and occupy, or even annex, the eastern part, which is a land very rich in mineral and agricultural resources,” said President Tshisekedi.
He emphasized that a potential peace agreement could not be signed in December 2024 after Kagame declined to attend a summit in Luanda, Angola. Tshisekedi reiterated that despite setbacks, Kinshasa remains dedicated to diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace in the region.
As of now, there has been no official response from Rwanda regarding Tshisekedi’s remarks. However, he noted that the Congolese government has built international support to impose possible sanctions on Rwanda.
Author’s Summary
Tshisekedi accused Kagame of trying to divide Congo and occupy its eastern region while reaffirming his government’s pursuit of diplomatic peace efforts despite Rwanda’s absence from talks.