President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has ordered Rwandan Ambassador Vincent Karega to leave the country within 48 hours. This is coming after accusing Kigali of supporting M23 rebels, who have seized two towns in eastern DRC, raising tensions between both countries.
The announcement yesterday, came after government spokesman Patrick Muyaya addressed the press, after a meeting of the defence council, presided over by President Felix Tshisekedi.
The meeting was necessitated in the wake of rebels seizing control of Kiwanja and Rutshuru in the North Kivu province.
A fierce battle erupted on Saturday morning between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in Kiwanja, which is 70km from the North Kivu capital, Goma.
Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the rebels, an allegation Rwanda has constantly denied. The decision to expel Karega is expected to further worsen tensions between the two countries whose relations have been tense for decades.
Muyaya said “a massive arrival of elements of the Rwandan element to support the M23 terrorists” against DR Congo’s troops had been observed.
The M23 was formed in 2012, claiming to defend the interests of Congolese Tutsis. “This criminal and terrorist adventure” had forced thousands of people to flee their homes, he explained.
In its response, Rwanda on Sunday “noted with regret” the decision by the DR Congo to expel its ambassador.
“It is regrettable the Government of the DRC continues to scapegoat Rwanda to cover up and distract from their own governance and security failures,” Kigali said in a statement.
It added that Rwandan forces at its border with DRC were on high alert.
This latest advance by rebel fighters has prompted the UN peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO, to intensify its “troop alert level” and boost support for the army.
