DR Congo diplomatic duties in Rwanda on hold amid tensions

The Congolese government has instructed its new ambassador to Kigali “to hold on the presentation of letters of credence to Rwandan officials until further notice”.

The presentation of such letters marks the formal start of diplomatic duties.

It has also recalled its chargé d’affaires ad interim at the Congolese embassy in Kigali “for consultation”, according to a statement by the Congolese foreign ministry.

The announcement was made on Monday, just as the expelled Rwandan ambassador to Kinshasa, Vincent Karega, left the Congolese territory. Rwanda said it noted “with regret” his expulsion.

DR Congo accuses its neighbour of aggression under the proxy of M23 rebels.

Rwanda has consistently denied the accusation and instead accuses DR Congo military of collusion with Rwandan Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels based in the east of the country with the intention to attack Rwanda.

DR Congo has in turn denied that accusation, with President Félix Tshisekedi telling a UN general assembly meeting in September the FDLR had been “decapitated” as a result of previous joint military operations against the FDLR by DR Congo and Rwanda.

He said the accusation was “an unsubstantiated alibi” for Rwanda to “justify repeated aggressions against DRC”.

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, on Sunday called on “the M23 and other armed groups to immediately cease hostilities and to disarm unconditionally”.

At the weekend, M23 captured the towns of Rutshuru and Kiwanja – some 70km (43 miles) away from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu.

Since June it has also been holding the town of Bunagana at the border with Uganda.