Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of seeking to 'annex' resource-rich eastern DRC

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accused his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, of wanting to “split” his country and “annex the (resource-rich) eastern part” in a speech shared by his office.

Tshisekedi’s speech was delivered to members of the Congolese community in Egypt on Sunday, who included students, traders, workers and military personnel in training.

The Congolese leader asserted that Congo and Rwanda missed an opportunity to sign an agreement aimed at finding peace in eastern Congo in December 2024 after Kagame snubbed a summit in the Angolan capital, Luanda.

“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,” he said.

There was no immediate reaction from Rwanda, which has in the past repeatedly denied accusations from the UN and Kinshasa of supporting the M23 that has battled Congolese forces in the east.

Peace commitments

Tshisekedi, however, notes that DRC remains committed to pursuing diplomatic efforts to bring peace in Congo.

“We have succeeded in creating momentum in the international community that aimed to sanction Rwanda. Since then, there have been two other peace processes, the one in Doha and the one in Washington,” he said.

He announced that talks between the Congolese government and rebels mediated by Qatar in Doha are due to resume this week.

Last month, the Congolese leader called on Kagame to end tensions between their neighbouring countries, work together to make peace and stop the violence in eastern Congo by directing the M23 rebels to end escalation.

But Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in reaction called the remarks “political theatrics which has become ridiculous.”

Congo and a coalition of various rebel groups that includes the M23 signed the Declaration of Principles ceasefire deal in July in Doha.

Fighting, however, continues between government forces and the M23 rebels, with each side accusing the other of violating the ceasefire.