Rwanda has sharply condemned the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for what it describes as a deliberate and coordinated campaign of misinformation aimed at blaming Kigali for the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The accusations, made by Rwanda’s Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo, come as diplomatic tensions between the two neighbors continue to escalate amid worsening insecurity in North and South Kivu.
Makolo accused the Congolese government of fabricating war narratives and actively encouraging diplomats and international actors to repeat what Rwanda considers false claims about its role in the conflict. She said the misinformation campaign is designed to divert attention from the DRC’s long-standing internal governance failures and its inability to address armed groups operating on its territory.
The conflict in eastern Congo, which has persisted for decades, has disproportionately affected Congolese Tutsi communities and other civilians. Kigali maintains that the instability is rooted in systemic problems inside the DRC, including weak leadership, ethnic discrimination, and the failure to dismantle armed militias that threaten both Congolese citizens and regional security.
At the center of the diplomatic dispute are repeated allegations by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi that Rwanda is backing the AFC/M23 armed movement. Rwanda has consistently denied these claims, describing them as politically motivated and unsupported by verifiable evidence. Kigali insists that it has no involvement in the fighting and has instead presented what it says is proof contradicting Kinshasa’s accusations.
Rwandan officials argue that the real and documented threat in eastern Congo comes from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia formed by remnants of perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. According to Kigali, the FDLR continues to operate freely in parts of eastern Congo and poses a direct security threat to Rwanda.
For years, Rwanda has warned regional bodies and international partners that the Congolese state has failed to neutralize the FDLR and has, at times, cooperated with the group. Kigali says this alleged cooperation undermines regional peace efforts and violates commitments made under multiple peace frameworks.
The latest diplomatic flare-up followed a meeting on December 11, 2025, between President Tshisekedi and the outgoing European Union representative to the DRC. According to Makolo, remarks made after that meeting suggested that parts of the international community believed Rwanda was making “excuses” despite commitments under the Washington peace agreement.
Makolo reacted strongly, stating that such comments ignore the fundamental reality that the Washington agreement was signed by both Rwanda and the DRC and imposes obligations on both parties. She criticized what she described as selective blame that fails to acknowledge Kinshasa’s responsibilities.
“DRC continues to spread lies, and its President encourages others, including diplomats, to repeat those lies,” Makolo said. “The Washington agreement was signed by two parties: Rwanda and DRC. Both countries must respect it. If this diplomat believes Rwanda is making excuses, then he does not care about Congolese or Rwandans. Africa will be better off without such individuals.”
Rwanda has repeatedly stated that it remains committed to the Washington peace deal and broader regional initiatives aimed at stabilizing eastern Congo. However, Kigali insists that peace cannot be achieved unless the DRC also honors its commitments, particularly those related to dismantling the FDLR and halting cross-border provocations.
Rwandan officials argue that while Kigali has demonstrated restraint and cooperation, Kinshasa has continued to deflect responsibility by externalizing blame. They say this approach has only prolonged the conflict and worsened the humanitarian situation in eastern Congo.
Since early 2025, fighting involving the AFC/M23 has intensified significantly. The group captured Goma and several other strategic locations in North Kivu before advancing southward toward Uvira by December. Throughout these developments, Congolese authorities repeatedly accused Rwanda of orchestrating or directly supporting the offensives.
Kigali rejects those claims, pointing to what it describes as inconsistencies in the Congolese narrative. One of the most cited examples involves the movement of civilians fleeing the fighting. Thousands of Congolese civilians crossed into Rwanda through border areas that Kinshasa claimed were being shelled by Rwandan forces.
Rwandan officials argue that such movements raise serious questions about the credibility of the accusations. They note that civilians would not logically flee toward a country they believed was attacking them.
Further controversy emerged following reports of shelling near the Rwanda-DRC border. Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, accused the DRC of violating the ceasefire and then falsely blaming Rwanda for the incident.
Nduhungirehe said the shells that struck civilian areas near Rwanda did not originate from Rwandan territory, as claimed by Congolese authorities. Instead, he stated that the projectiles were fired from Burundi and landed in Kamanyola.
“The shells that hit civilians near Rwanda did not come from Bugarama as claimed,” Nduhungirehe said. “They were fired from Burundi, hitting Kamanyola. Over 1,000 Congolese refugees fled into Rwanda at Nyarushishi. Would they flee toward the origin of the shells? Absolutely not.”
Rwanda says this incident exemplifies what it describes as a pattern of misinformation aimed at misleading the international community and justifying internal failures. Kigali argues that such distortions complicate diplomatic efforts and risk inflaming regional tensions.
The humanitarian consequences of the conflict continue to mount. Displacement has reached alarming levels, with hundreds of thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes amid ongoing fighting, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services. Rwanda has continued to receive Congolese refugees, despite the diplomatic strain between the two governments.
Regional analysts warn that persistent misinformation and diplomatic hostility risk undermining fragile peace initiatives in the Great Lakes region. They note that resolving the eastern Congo crisis will require political accountability, genuine dialogue, and coordinated efforts to dismantle armed groups operating outside state control.
Rwanda has called on international partners to adopt a more balanced and evidence-based approach to the conflict, urging them to avoid repeating unverified claims that could escalate tensions. Kigali maintains that lasting peace will only be achieved through honesty, mutual respect, and full compliance with existing agreements.
As diplomatic exchanges grow more heated, Rwanda continues to emphasize that it is prepared to work toward a peaceful resolution, provided that the DRC does the same. Kigali insists that the path forward lies not in blaming neighbors, but in addressing the root causes of instability that have plagued eastern Congo for decades.
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