Tension between the two neighboring countries escalated in the recent months following the resurgence of M23 rebel group.

DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23 in the fight with Congolese Army while Rwanda accuses it of collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

It also blames DRC for having shelled Rwandan territory at different times in collaboration with FDLR. The projectiles injured civilians and destroyed houses.

The tension continued to grow until a Congolese soldier stormed Rwanda and opened a rapid fire on Rwandan policemen standing guard before he was shot dead.

Speaking to the Financial Times ahead of the tripartite summit in Angola, President Tshisekedi warned of war with Rwanda.

However, Rwanda has repeatedly rejected DRC’s allegations and urged it to solve its internal problems without dragging it into the conflict.

The issue of rising tension between Rwanda and DRC was recently discussed at the extraordinary Summit of the African Union in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea where President Joao Lourenço was designated as a mediator.

Discussions between Rwanda and DRC on the mediation of Angola on Wednesday 6th July 2022, saw concerned parties setting an agenda to accelerate efforts meant to achieve durable peace between both countries.

A roadmap on activities to restore relations between Rwanda and DRC entails the establishment of a climate of trust between the states of the region and create optimal conditions for dialogue and political consultation to resolve the current security crisis in eastern DRC.

The roadmap also stresses the need to defeat FDLR and its splinter groups (CNRD- FLN, RUD-Urunana, FPPH-Abajyarugamba) believed to be at the origin of tension between Rwanda and DRC and play a major role in the insecurity of the DRC in order to ensure that the threat to security ceases completely, among others.

Following a tripartite summit held in Angola on 6th July 2022 to find a solution for growing tension between Rwanda and M23, President Macky Sall has via Twitter handle commended the outcomes.

“I welcome positive outcomes of the dialogue held today in Luanda between the presidents Paul Kagame and Tshisekedi with the mediation of João Lourenço. I congratulate and encourage all concerned parties to pursue efforts aimed at achieving peace,” Macky Sall tweeted.

President Macky Sall has welcomed outcomes of discussions between Rwanda and DRC.