Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, questioned the credibility of the DR Congo government’s condemnation of remarks attributed to Fils Mukoko, saying it followed a series of hate-filled statements and incitement by Congolese officials.
Minister Nduhungirehe made the remarks in a post on X while responding to Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya’s condemnation of Mukoko’s comments.
“The ‘condemnation’ by the Congolese government spokesperson would have been sincere if it were not part of a long series of hate speech and incitement to riots by Congolese officials,” Nduhungirehe wrote.
The remarks attributed to Mukoko called on Congolese citizens to take up arms against Western nationals, particularly Belgians living in DR Congo.
Muyaya described the comments as absolutely horrific and said they represented neither the Congolese government nor any other state institution. He also said Kinshasa would not tolerate calls for violence or statements targeting its Western partners.
Nduhungirehe cited remarks made by Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner while she was serving as DR Congo’s Foreign Minister during a United Nations Security Council meeting in January 2025.
“If this Council fails, the street will take care of it and, as you know very well, the street has neither order nor restraint,” Kayikwamba Wagner said.
Nduhungirehe said the statement was made on the same day protesters attacked diplomatic and consular missions in Kinshasa, including Rwanda’s. He alleged that Congolese security services allowed the violence to unfold.
At least 10 foreign diplomatic missions were targeted during the unrest. The Congolese government subsequently expressed regret over the attacks and pledged to protect diplomatic premises.
Following Mukoko’s remarks, Muyaya said the Congolese media regulator, Kinshasa city authorities and other relevant services had been instructed to act. He also said measures had been taken to protect diplomatic missions, their personnel and premises.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10