How Kinshasa pushed its way to control narrative on eastern Congo war
The Democratic Republic of Congo has shifted its diplomatic strategy by engaging directly with the US and international bodies to challenge Rwanda's influence in the eastern Congo conflict. By leveraging UN reports and offering resource access, Kinshasa has successfully shifted the international narrative against Rwandan interference.
Why it matters
This shift in diplomatic tactics marks a significant change in regional power dynamics and international support for the DRC's security efforts.
For years, politicians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have seen Rwanda as an enemy. But they did little to compete with Kigali on the international front.
These days, however, Kinshasa has upended the trajectory following a series of important wins on the diplomatic scene.
First, the UN Security Council lifted an arms embargo on the Congolese army, but tightened screws on non-state armed groups like the M23 or FDLR.
A panel of experts from the UN, charged with investigating the eastern Congo war kept returning the same verdict: Rwanda was fanning the conflict. Soon, France and US joined the chorus, backing Kinshasa. Then came sanctions, all targeting Rwandan agencies or senior military figures, or M23 rebel group.
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