“If one makes an issue of noise of an empty drum, they also have a problem! Better to let it pass or walk away from it!!!” President Kagame wrote on X following remarks by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi at the Global Gateway Forum 2025 in Brussels on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
At the forum, which was also attended by President Kagame, Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, a claim Rwanda has repeatedly denied.
He called on Rwanda to give the order for the M23 troops, which he claimed were backed by Rwanda, to halt the escalation in eastern DRC.
Tshisekedi, while calling for peace in the eastern DRC, also claimed that his country has never been belligerent towards its neighbours, despite his repeated threats to invade Rwanda, bombard Kigali, and overthrow Rwanda’s leadership, threats that can be validated through multiple pieces of evidence.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, also swiftly responded to Tshisekedi’s claims, describing them as false and misleading.
“No, you are wrong on all counts. The only person who can stop this escalation is President Tshisekedi, and HE ALONE,” Nduhungirehe said, adding that Tshisekedi himself must cease his belligerent attitude, halt threats against Rwanda, and stop supporting armed militias, including the FDLR genocidaires and Wazalendo groups.
The Minister further condemned the DRC president for deploying foreign mercenaries and using international platforms for political manoeuvring, describing Tshisekedi’s statements at the Forum as a “ridiculous political farce.”
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the DRC have been tense since the resurgence of the M23 rebel group in 2021, which identifies as representing marginalised Congolese Tutsi and Banyamulenge communities.
Kigali has repeatedly denied allegations of supporting the M23, instead pointing to the DRC’s own security lapses and its involvement with armed militias, including the FDLR, a group formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Despite multiple mediation efforts, including a peace deal in Washington and dialogue facilitated by Qatar, Rwanda has criticised the DRC for obstructing agreements and lacking the political will to ensure lasting peace in the region.
This includes the recent last-minute refusal to sign the Regional Economic Integration Framework, an agreement expected to mark a major step forward in bilateral and regional cooperation following months of U.S.-mediated negotiations.
President Kagame delivers remarks at the Global Gateway Forum 2025 in Brussels on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The forum was also attended by his DRC counterpart Felix Tshisekedi.
Source: IGIHE ‘Noise of an empty drum’: President Kagame reacts after Tshisekedi’s claims on Rwanda > IGIHE
