The Congolese government on Saturday firmly rejected Kenya’s decision to appoint a consul general in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, saying the move was “inappropriate” and a violation of Congo’s sovereignty. Goma, a mineral-rich city on the eastern border, has been at the heart of renewed fighting between Congo’s army and the M23 rebel movement, which Kinshasa accuses of being backed by Rwanda. Earlier this year, M23 fighters launched a major offensive, seizing Goma after days of heavy clashes and forcing Congolese forces to retreat.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Kenya had acted without consulting Kinshasa, as required under international diplomatic norms, and warned that the decision could be seen as legitimizing rebel control. “Such an appointment undermines our territorial integrity and risks sending the wrong message at a very delicate time,” the ministry noted. The M23, which claims to be fighting against Kinshasa’s “bad governance,” has taken over large swathes of eastern Congo in recent months and is now attempting to install parallel administrative structures under the umbrella of the Congo River Alliance. Rights groups accuse the rebels of widespread atrocities, including killings, forced recruitment, and sexual violence, in a conflict that has left thousands dead and displaced more than a million people.
Peace efforts remain fragile. Mediation led by Qatar recently produced a “declaration of principles” between Kinshasa and the M23, but talks collapsed soon after and violence resumed. Meanwhile, the presence of regional troops from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya has further complicated the crisis, deepening suspicions between Congo and its neighbors.
Christian Moleka, a Kinshasa-based political analyst, warned the Kenyan decision could worsen tensions. “This reinforces Congo’s distrust of Nairobi, particularly given Kenya’s closer ties with Rwanda under President William Ruto,” he said. “It risks weakening regional mediation efforts at a time when trust is already very low.” For Kinshasa, the issue is not just about diplomatic protocol but about safeguarding sovereignty in a region where shifting alliances and outside interests have fueled decades of war.
