Title: Diplomatic tension between Kenya and the DRC following the creation of the Congo River Alliance
Introduction :
Diplomatic tension between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has escalated following the creation of the Congo River Alliance, an anti-Tshisekedi political-military group. This announcement sparked strong reactions from Kenyan President William Ruto and the Kenyan Foreign Minister. This article reviews recent events and the positions expressed by the two countries.
Kenya’s refusal to arrest members of the Congo River Alliance:
In a television interview, Kenyan President William Ruto responded to DRC concerns about the possibility of arresting members of the Congo River Alliance. He made it clear that Kenya is a democracy that respects freedom of expression, and that he cannot arrest every person who makes a statement. According to him, statements are an integral part of democracy and he can only intervene when criminal acts are committed. President Ruto pointed out that many statements are made against him every day in Kenya, but that does not mean he is going to arrest these people.
Reaction from the DRC and reminder from the Kenyan ambassador:
In response to Kenya’s position, the DRC recalled its ambassador, expressing its dissatisfaction with the Congo River Alliance affair. The Congolese government considers that this creation is a threat to the security and stability of the region. According to him, not arresting the members of this politico-military group goes against the principles of cooperation between nations. This recall by the ambassador is seen as a means of pressure for Kenya to take concrete measures to counter the Congo River Alliance.
Kenyan reaction and open investigation:
In an official statement, the Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs dissociated himself from any activity that could harm peace in the DRC. He also announced the opening of an investigation into the organizers and content of the press conference announcing the creation of the Congo River Alliance. This investigation aims to identify those responsible and take the necessary measures to avoid any escalation of the situation.
Conclusion :
The diplomatic tension between Kenya and the DRC following the creation of the Congo River Alliance highlights the difficulties that the two countries face in their regional cooperation. While Kenya insists on respect for freedom of expression and the need for concrete evidence of criminal acts to take action, the DRC considers that this politico-military threat cannot be ignored and calls for a firmer response . It remains to be seen how this situation will evolve and whether concrete measures will be taken to counter the Congo River Alliance.