The conversation focused on addressing root causes of conflicts, building on discussions from a previous visit by Avril Haines, the Director of National Intelligence, in November 2023.

During Haines’ visit, discussions centered on de-escalating tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo and addressing security concerns in eastern DR Congo, where the government coalition is combating the M23 rebels. DR Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Kigali dismisses, insisting it’s an internal Congolese matter.

Rwanda accuses the Congolese army of collaborating with the FDLR terrorist group, posing a regional security threat. The FDLR, formed by remnants of Interahamwe and the former Rwandan army responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, has been linked to hate speech and violence against Congolese Tutsi communities.

Recent incidents include Congolese warplanes violating Rwanda’s airspace and armed soldiers crossing the border. The Rwandan government urges Kinshasa to cease support for the UN-sanctioned FDLR, as the region grapples with ongoing instability, housing over 130 armed groups in eastern DR Congo for nearly three decades.

President Paul Kagame and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Tuesday, January 16, met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Discussions were also attended by accompanying delegations.