President Paul Kagame has accused Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi of trying to manipulate peace initiatives in both Qatar and Washington, saying the DRC leader sought to tilt the processes in his favor.
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Kagame said it was Tshisekedi, not Rwanda, who pushed for shifting dialogue from Africa-led mechanisms to Doha and later to Washington.
Kagame said other African leaders wrongly blamed Rwanda for abandoning regional processes when, in fact, Tshisekedi initiated the requests for both tracks.
According to Kagame, Tshisekedi believed he could use the DRC’s size and natural resources to influence international actors involved in the mediation.
Kagame said Tshisekedi hoped to pay his way and manipulate people to secure outcomes that favored him, thinking the world was eager to secure a share of what Congo possesses.
Kagame added that the separation of the Doha and Washington tracks prevented such maneuvering and ensured that important issues were not overlooked.
Kagame also questioned Tshisekedi’s reliability in honoring agreements, saying Rwanda had repeatedly seen the DRC sign deals only to contradict them soon after.
He said this pattern had happened many times and remains a major concern as both countries move forward with new commitments.
Despite his concerns, Kagame said Rwanda would proceed with the agreements being facilitated by the United States and Qatar but stressed the need for both countries to continue accompanying the process.
He said he expects them to call out either side if it fails to honor its obligations and insisted that the same scrutiny applied to Rwanda should also apply to the DRC.
Kagame’s remarks highlight persistent distrust between Kigali and Kinshasa even as the two leaders prepare to sign what has been described as a historic peace agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
