by JEAN KASSONGO
KINSHASA – THE Forum of Congolese Intellectuals Abroad (FICE) has condemned Kenyan President William Ruto’s recent nomination of a Consul General to Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
FICE warns that Kenya’s move risks legitimising ongoing illegal occupation, undermining Congo’s sovereignty and destabilising fragile peace efforts supported by the United States and Qatar.
“This decision by President Ruto is not diplomacy. It is an alarming attempt to normalise the control of a terrorist militia over Congolese territory,” Ngoie Joel Nshisso, head of FICE, said.
The official said by bypassing Kinshasa and ignoring international norms, Kenya risked undoing the work of US and Qatari peace efforts and fueling further violence in eastern DRC.
FICE stresses the international community cannot remain silent in the face of such a breach of diplomatic norms.
The organisation has called on the US, global partners and African allies to defend DRC’s sovereignty, reinforce the US and Qatari peace process, and ensure accountability for actions that weaken regional stability.
“Congo’s sovereignty is not for sale,” Nshisso added.
DRC Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, also rejected the announcement by Ruto as “inappropriate.”
“Any announcement regarding the appointment of a consul in Goma is particularly inappropriate and should not be considered without the approval of the Congolese authorities,” the minister said.
The controversy comes days after the US and Qatar helped broker a fragile peace framework between DRC and Rwanda.
Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, meanwhile clarifies that the nomination is provisional and subject to Congolese approval.
Goma, located in North Kivu province, remains under partial control of the M23 rebel group, designated by the DRC government as a terrorist movement and widely accused of atrocities and mass displacement.
DRC accuses the Kenyan government of siding with Rwanda.
– CAJ News
