Tensions flared between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week after reports that suspected Rwandan security operatives allegedly attempted to intrude into the hotel room of First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi in Washington, D.C.
Nyakeru is in the U.S. to attend the Intergenerational Dialogue Summit of the Fostering the Future Together Coalition, an initiative led by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, wife of then-President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday night, the DRC government, through its spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, alleged that individuals believed to be Rwandan security operatives tried an unlawful breach of Nyakeru’s hotel room at around 12:00 PM New York time, reportedly intending to cause harm.
Muyaya said the First Lady’s security team intervened swiftly, resulting in a brief confrontation, after which the suspects fled.Nyakeru was confirmed safe, and U.S. security authorities were notified.
However, in a statement released on Wednesday, the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. strongly dismissed the allegations as “a gross misrepresentation of events,” accusing the DRC government of dishonesty.
“An unarmed member of the security detail of a Rwandan VIP staying in a Washington DC hotel inadvertently encountered security agents of a DRC delegation in a hotel hallway accessible to all guests… The matter was eventually resolved without further escalation. Despite being harassed and filmed by unknown persons during departure, the Rwandan team remained professional at all times,” the embassy statement read.
The embassy also claimed that the incident occurred in a shared hotel space, where a Rwandan security officer was briefly restrained from accessing the elevator by DRC agents. Following the incident, the Rwandan delegation changed hotels.
The episode comes amid deteriorating relations between Rwanda and the DRC, largely fueled by longstanding accusations that Kigali supports the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC) rebels—a claim both Rwanda and the group deny. The M23/AFC says its mission is to fight corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DRC leadership.
Since its resurgence in 2022 under Bertrand Bisimwa and General Sultan Makenga, the group has clashed repeatedly with Congolese forces over alleged ceasefire violations.
The rebels currently control parts of North and South Kivu provinces, including Goma City and key installations like Goma and Kavumu airports.
Meanwhile, between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, residents reported surprise withdrawals of M23/AFC fighters from positions in Kitsumbiro, Kipese, Katondi, Munyakondomi, Ivatama, Ilambula, Luseke, Musimba, located between 15 and 25 kilometers from Lubero centre in Lubero Territory.
The rebels reportedly moved southward with their military equipment. The group also withdrew from Bukununu in Rutshuru Territory, after more than a year stationed there.
Following the pullback, Wazalendo militia, allied with government forces, reportedly moved in and took control.
The DRC government has not yet commented on the M23/AFC withdrawals or their connection, if any, to the diplomatic spat in Washington, leaving analysts to monitor whether these events signal a broader regional escalation. URN