Kinshasa, August 18th, 2025 (CPA). – The spokesperson for the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) described
Kenya’s decision to appoint a consul general in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in eastern DRC, which is under Rwandan occupation, is similar to a ‘provocation,’ the government spokesperson said on Monday during a broadcast on National Radio and Television.
‘For us, of course, the announcement of the appointment of a consul general in Goma looks like a provocation, because everyone is aware of the situation in Goma today,’ Minister Patrick Muyaya said on the programme ‘Congo Telema’. « The Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba, who is currently in Madagascar, took the trouble to contact her Kenyan counterpart to express our disapproval of this communication that has been circulated. (…) But according to the explanations given to our Minister of Foreign Affairs by her Kenyan counterpart, it is standard diplomatic practice to make an announcement before it can be formalised, including taking into account the views of the country that is to receive the diplomats, » explained the Congolese government spokesperson. He insisted that these Kenyan practices are different from those of DRC.
« It’s the opposite. It doesn’t work like that here. Here, we first notify through diplomatic channels. The states that are to accredit the diplomats have the opportunity to give their opinion, particularly on the profile, after due diligence. Only then can we formally proceed with the appointment of our diplomats, » said Patrick Muyaya. For the Congolese Minister in harge of Communication, the Kenyan government’s attitude towards the crisis in eastern DRC raises questions. ‘A consul general is being appointed in Goma, even though the national and international community recognises that this area is under illegal occupation. (…) We must not forget that we are operating in a particular context. The Kenyan government’s attitude towards the crisis in eastern DRC raises questions,’ he has argued.
‘When, in all discussions, we refer to respect for the Constitution, the African Union Charter or the United Nations Charter, we are saying that these texts do not provide for the existence of a parallel administration, nor do they provide for governance by occupying forces,’ he has pointed out. Last weekend, the Congolese government opposed the announcement of the appointment of a Kenyan consul general in Goma, waiting to be officially notified because the city is under occupation by the Rwandan army and its AFC-M23 auxiliaries. CPA/