Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has called on his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to end support for the M23 rebel movement, during his address at the Global Gateway Investment Forum in Brussels.
“I take this platform as a witness to extend my hand to you, Mr. President, so that we may make peace as courageous men,” Tshisekedi said, emphasizing that “it is not too late to do the right thing.”
In response, Rwandan officials accused Tshisekedi of fueling tensions. Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, stated that “the only person who can stop this escalation is President Tshisekedi himself.”
The diplomatic exchange comes as fighting continues in eastern DR Congo, where thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced this year alone, while Rwanda continues to deny backing the M23 rebels despite UN reports confirming the opposite.
