August 17, 2025
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has strongly opposed Kenya’s appointment of a consul general to Goma, a city currently under the control of M23 rebels. The Congolese government accused Nairobi of violating international diplomatic protocols and undermining efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in the volatile eastern region.
In a statement released on Saturday, the DRC’s foreign ministry condemned Kenya’s decision to name Judy Kiara as Consul General to Goma without prior consultation with Kinshasa. The ministry argued that such a move could be interpreted as legitimizing the M23’s occupation of the city, which fell to the rebel group earlier this year after intense clashes with Congolese forces.
“The unilateral nomination of a diplomat to an occupied city, without notifying the legitimate government, contravenes international norms and risks creating a false perception of recognition for an armed group,” the statement read. The DRC urged Kenya to exercise “caution and discernment” in its diplomatic engagements.
Kenya announced Kiara’s appointment on Friday as part of a broader reshuffle of diplomatic postings. However, the move has further strained relations between the two nations amid already faltering regional peace efforts.
Qatar recently mediated a tentative “declaration of principles” between the DRC government and M23, but negotiations collapsed, leading to renewed fighting in the mineral-rich North Kivu province. The conflict has drawn in multiple regional players, including Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and Kenya, each with varying degrees of involvement—complicating peace initiatives.
Analysts warn that Kenya’s latest step could deepen mistrust among East African Community (EAC) members, particularly as regional troops, including Kenyan forces, have previously been deployed under a now-stalled peacekeeping mandate.
The DRC’s rejection highlights the delicate balance required in addressing the crisis, where diplomatic missteps risk exacerbating tensions in a region already plagued by decades of instability.
