A new diplomatic storm is brewing between Kinshasa and Nairobi after Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Friday night the appointment of a Consul General in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, which is currently under the control of the Alliance of Forces for Change (AFC) led by Corneille Nangaa.
The move is widely seen as an implicit recognition of AFC authority in eastern DRC, raising concerns in Kinshasa and interpreted by observers as a provocative diplomatic gesture that could further escalate regional tensions.
A history of strained relations
- In 2023, Kenya hosted the official launch of the AFC on its soil, sparking a major diplomatic crisis with Kinshasa.
- Although tensions were temporarily eased, relations never fully recovered.
- Earlier this year, the presence of former Congolese President Joseph Kabila in Kenya fueled speculation about discreet ties between certain Congolese political figures and Nairobi.
For regional analysts, Ruto’s latest move signals Kenya’s shifting posture in the Great Lakes region, touching directly on Kinshasa’s sovereignty concerns, especially since Goma remains under rebel control.
Experts warn that this decision could serve as a flashpoint for deeper political and military friction in the Great Lakes, undermining ongoing peace efforts led by regional blocs such as SADC and the EAC.
✍🏾 Author: Mangwa – Mecamediaafrica.com
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