**Fatshimetrie**
The arrival of Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in Goma on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, sparked mixed reactions. On the one hand, he was greeted with military honors by the military governor of North Kivu, in a scene that left its mark on people’s minds for its warmth and friendliness. On the other hand, thousands of kilometers away, in Geneva, diplomatic tensions erupted between the Rwandan and Congolese delegations during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the DRC at the UN Human Rights Council.
The scene in Goma, where Olivier Nduhungirehe received military honors, contrasts sharply with the hostile statements by Congolese officials denouncing Rwanda’s alleged aggression. The image of the Rwandan minister laughing out loud as he orders the military governor to lower the salute reveals an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, which are often plagued by tensions.
The Enhanced Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism (EAM-R) launched in Goma, under Angolan mediation, aims to jointly monitor the security situation in eastern DRC and implement the Harmonized Plan for the Neutralization of the FDLR. However, the warm welcome given to Olivier Nduhungirehe raises questions about Kinshasa’s diplomatic line towards Rwanda.
In Geneva, tensions between the Rwandan and Congolese delegations reached a peak during accusations made by the DRC against Rwanda regarding alleged support for the M23 and the use of child soldiers. These heated exchanges demonstrated the persistent tensions between the two countries, despite attempts at dialogue and cooperation.
While international delegations engage in verbal jousting in Geneva, the friendly scene in Goma seems to symbolize the hope for reconciliation and constructive cooperation between Rwanda and the DRC. It is essential that the two countries manage to overcome their differences to work together to build lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.
In conclusion, the events of November 5, 2024 illustrate the contradictions and challenges facing Rwanda and the DRC in their diplomatic relations. However, the image of Olivier Nduhungirehe receiving military honors in Goma could be a symbol of a new beginning towards a relationship based on trust and mutual cooperation.