Rwanda President Names African Leaders Linked to Election Crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has intensified tensions with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo after sharply criticising Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, claiming he “has never won an election” and only assumed office through a political arrangement.

Speaking amid ongoing diplomatic friction between Kigali and Kinshasa, Kagame alleged that Tshisekedi’s rise to power followed a negotiated deal rather than an outright electoral victory.

He further suggested that several African leaders, including former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, were aware of the arrangement.

Tshisekedi was declared winner of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 2018 presidential election, marking the country’s first official transfer of power since independence.

However, the results were heavily disputed both domestically and internationally, with opposition figures and election observers alleging irregularities and suggesting that a power-sharing agreement may have been reached between Tshisekedi and former President Joseph Kabila.

Tshisekedi has consistently denied the allegations and maintains that he legitimately won the election.

Kagame’s latest remarks come against the backdrop of the long-running conflict in eastern Congo, a mineral-rich region plagued by armed groups and instability for decades.

The Congolese government, alongside several Western governments and United Nations experts, has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group operating in North Kivu province.

Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the rebels, insisting its primary concern is national security and the presence of hostile armed factions near its border.

The renewed fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and heightened fears of a broader regional crisis involving neighbouring states in the Great Lakes region.

International mediators, including African leaders and regional blocs, have attempted to broker ceasefires and peace agreements, but tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa remain high.

Kagame also questioned why Rwanda continues to face sustained criticism from the international community and sections of the global media over the violence in eastern Congo, while Uganda’s alleged involvement in the conflict receives comparatively little attention.

Uganda has also been accused at various times by UN experts and regional observers of maintaining links with armed groups operating in eastern Congo, allegations Kampala has repeatedly denied.

Relations between Rwanda and Congo have deteriorated significantly in recent years, with both governments exchanging accusations over security threats, interference, and support for insurgent movements.

Despite several regional peace initiatives, distrust between the two neighbours continues to complicate efforts to restore lasting stability in eastern Congo.