DRC: Rwandan ambassador summoned following accusations of Kigali's support for M23

Paul Kagame greets Felix Tshisekedi at the Rubavu border post, Rwanda, on June 25, 2021. Kinshasa reaffirmed on Monday May 30, 2022 that Kigali supports the M23 rebellion in eastern DRC.

AFP - SIMON WOHLFAHRT

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a series of demonstrations against Kigali began on Monday May 30 in the country.

The authorities finally summoned the Rwandan ambassador on Tuesday to try to obtain an explanation of his country's support for the M23 rebels in the east of the country.

The meeting between the government and the Rwandan ambassador was short-lived.

About ten minutes.

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With our correspondent in Kinshasa,

In the absence of the head of Congolese diplomacy, it was his colleague from the Environment and Deputy Prime Minister Ève Bazaiba who met with the Rwandan ambassador Vincent Karega.

Protocol obliges, she officially delivered the message of protest and disapproval of the Government against the support of Rwanda to the rebels of the M23.

"

," the minister said, without further details.

The message of the Congolese Government in three words to #Rwanda: protest, disapproval and warning.

(Excerpt from my interview).

pic.twitter.com/JS6ezpshNO

— Eve Bazaiba (@Evebazaiba) May 31, 2022

Same discretion for the Rwandan diplomat whose expulsion is demanded by the political class and civil society after the indictment of Kigali by Kinshasa.

"

" on Congolese territory, said Vincent Karega.

#DiplomacyDRC |

May 31, 2022 - Convocation of Ambassador @vincentkarega1 of Rwanda to @RDC_Minafet, where he was received by Deputy Prime Minister @Evebazaiba, @RDCongoMAE being on mission.

1️⃣/2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/SI2PB75bkD

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DRC 🇨🇩 (@RDC_Minafet) May 31, 2022

The recall of his Congolese colleague stationed in Kigali is demanded, on this point the Congolese government has not yet decided.

Kinshasa refuses for the moment to close all the doors of the discussion. 

The only precautionary measure: the suspension of flights by the airline RwandAir on Congolese territory. 

Kinshasa is taking the case internationally.

In correspondence with the United Nations Security Council, the head of Congolese diplomacy, Christophe Lutundula, calls for an "

" condemnation of Rwanda and the M23.

The President of the National Assembly, for his part, announced on Tuesday that his institution will undertake a diplomatic journey around the world to present to States and international organizations the discontent of the Congolese people, who "

”.  

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