Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has publicly challenged statements issued by the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding President Félix Tshisekedi’s alleged participation in discussions held during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
The controversy emerged after Farah Muamba Kayowa, head of communications at the Congolese presidency, posted a message on X claiming that the DRC had actively taken part in strategic discussions during the summit held on May 12, 2026.
According to the statement, Tshisekedi reportedly used the platform to advocate for stronger international cooperation, reforms within the United Nations Security Council, and condemnation of what Kinshasa describes as “Rwanda’s aggression” in eastern Congo.
However, Rwanda quickly rejected the account.
In a strongly worded response shared on X, Olivier Nduhungirehe described the Congolese claims as “complete lies,” insisting that the DRC never participated in the summit’s core policy discussions.
Nduhungirehe explained that the Africa Forward Summit consisted of three major high-level sessions jointly led by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The sessions focused on green industrialization, renewable energy, reform of the international financial system, and regional peace and security challenges.
According to Rwanda’s foreign minister, representatives from multiple governments contributed to the debates and policy exchanges, but the Congolese delegation remained absent throughout the official sessions.
“The DRC seat remained empty during every panel discussion,” he stated.
Nduhungirehe further argued that Kinshasa neither requested speaking time nor raised accusations against Rwanda during the summit proceedings. He said Tshisekedi only appeared during the closing ceremony rather than participating in substantive discussions.
Kigali also accused the Congolese presidency of attempting to create political propaganda aimed at portraying the DRC as an influential participant in the summit despite its limited role.
The diplomatic dispute adds to ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC over insecurity in eastern Congo. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Kigali of backing armed groups operating in the region, while Rwanda accuses the Congolese government of collaborating with the FDLR militia, a group linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Regional leaders and international partners have continued urging both countries to prioritize diplomatic dialogue amid fears that escalating rhetoric could worsen instability across the Great Lakes region.
Although the Africa Forward Summit was primarily organized to strengthen cooperation between Africa and Europe on investment, innovation, climate policy, and security, the disagreement between Kigali and Kinshasa once again highlighted the fragile diplomatic relationship between the two neighboring countries.
