DRC withdraws envoys from Kenya and Tanzania amid diplomatic row

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recalled its ambassador from Kenya and its head of mission in Tanzania “for consultations,” as announced by the spokesperson for the Congo’s foreign ministry.

This move comes in the wake of the launch of a new Congolese military alliance, which includes rebels, in Nairobi.

The diplomatic manoeuvres raise questions about the nature of the tensions and the potential implications for regional cooperation.

The Kenyan embassy’s head of mission had previously been summoned to the foreign ministry in Kinshasa earlier on Saturday.

As of now, the Kenyan government has not provided an official comment on the matter.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura has indicated that a statement regarding the issue will be issued on Sunday.

The source of the diplomatic dispute lies in the launch of the Congo River Alliance in Nairobi on Friday.

The decision to recall the envoy to Tanzania is noteworthy, given that Tanzania hosts the headquarters of the East African Community, of which Congo is a member.

Congolese politicians, along with groups such as the M23 rebels, who have seized territory in eastern Congo, and Corneille Nangaa, a former Congo election commission chief, were part of the alliance.

Notably, Nangaa, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption and obstructing the 2018 election, emphasized that the alliance aims to bring together various Congolese armed groups, militias, and social and political organizations.