On December 18, 2023, Tshisekedi indicated that he was contemplating seeking the approval of the Congolese Parliament to declare war on Rwanda. He emphasized the ability of the Congolese Army (FARDC) to shell Kigali from Goma town, located in the North Kivu province, without the need for a ground troop deployment. Tshisekedi accuses the Rwandan army of aggression through the armed group M23 operating in North Kivu, an allegation vehemently denied by Rwanda, which refutes any interference in Congolese affairs.

During an interview on the program ’The Long Form’ with Sanny Ntayombya, Brig Gen Rwivanga was questioned about the consequences of such a declaration of war. He responded that the Rwandan army is ready to defend the country in the event of an attack, stating, "I will answer the political question with a military answer. We are ready and have always been prepared. There is nothing new in our readiness. People should rest easy."

Rwanda has reinforced its military presence near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in response to escalating tensions between the FARDC and M23, aiming to protect its citizens from potential fallout from the fighting. The deputy spokesperson of the Rwandan government, Alain Mukuralinda, confirmed this development in November 2023, highlighting the threat posed by the FDLR group, known for its previous attempts to destabilize Rwanda and its collaboration with Congolese forces.

Tensions between Rwanda and the DRC have escalated since the beginning of 2022, prompting the United Nations to urge both countries to engage in dialogue to avoid armed conflict.

The spokesperson for the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, has affirmed that Rwanda is prepared to face potential hostilities from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following threats made by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi.