Tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) escalated this week following reports of an alleged security incident involving DRC First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi in Washington, D.C.
Nyakeru is in the United States to attend the Intergenerational Dialogue Summit of the Fostering the Future Together Coalition, an initiative led by US First Lady Melania Trump.
On Tuesday, the DRC government, through its spokesperson and minister for Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, alleged that individuals believed to be Rwandan security operatives attempted to unlawfully access Nyakeru’s hotel room.
Muyaya said the incident occurred around midday New York time, adding that the First Lady’s security detail intervened, resulting in a brief confrontation before the suspects fled. He said Nyakeru was unharmed and U.S. security authorities were notified.
However, the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. dismissed the allegations, describing them as a “gross misrepresentation of events” and accusing the DRC government of distorting what happened.
According to the embassy, an unarmed member of a Rwandan VIP security detail inadvertently encountered security agents attached to the DRC delegation in a hotel hallway accessible to all guests. The embassy said the situation was resolved without escalation.
The Rwandan mission also stated that the incident occurred in a shared hotel space, where a Rwandan security officer was briefly restrained from accessing an elevator by members of the DRC security team. It added that the Rwandan delegation later relocated to another hotel.
The episode comes amid deteriorating relations between Kigali and Kinshasa, largely driven by longstanding accusations that Rwanda supports the M23/AFC rebel movement — claims Rwanda denies.
The M23/AFC says its mission is to fight corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the DRC leadership. Since its resurgence in 2022 under Bertrand Bisimwa and Gen. Sultan Makenga, the group has repeatedly clashed with Congolese forces over alleged ceasefire violations.
The rebels currently control parts of North and South Kivu provinces, including areas around Goma and key installations such as Goma and Kavumu airports.
Meanwhile, between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, residents reported withdrawals of M23/AFC fighters from several positions in Lubero Territory, including Kitsumbiro, Kipese, Katondi, Munyakondomi, Ivatama, Ilambula, Luseke and Musimba, located between 15 and 25 kilometres from Lubero centre.
The fighters reportedly moved southward with military equipment. The group also withdrew from Bukununu in Rutshuru Territory after more than a year of presence. Following the withdrawal, Wazalendo militia allied to government forces reportedly moved in and took control.
The DRC government had not commented on the withdrawals or any possible link to the diplomatic spat in Washington by press time. Analysts are closely watching whether the developments signal further regional tensions.
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