Brewing Diplomatic Row As DRC Recalls Its Ambassador To Kenya After Opposition's Merger Statement

• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be holding national elections from Wednesday, December 20 to Wednesday, December 27
• Kenya and DRC have differed diplomatically after the latter's Opposition leader, Corneille Nangaa, issued a sensational statement while in Nairobi
• Kenya has distanced itself from remarks made by Nangaa that he had merged forces with the military and rebel groups to oust President Felix Tshisekedi

A diplomatic row is brewing between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the latter recalled its ambassador, John Kalunga, from Nairobi.

Kenya, DRC diplomatic row brewing

The move by the DRC is seen as a retaliatory response to the DRC's Opposition politician Corneille Nangaa's controversial press address in Nairobi last week.

The statement by Nangaa was not only deemed by the DRC to undermine President Felix Tshisekedi's regime but also rattled the government's position on restoring peace in the new member of the East Africa Community (EAC).

Congo will have elections on Wednesday, December 20, and Tshisekedi will be contesting to retain his seat for a second term against the opposition of Nangaa and other rival groups.

Nangaa sensationally said he was working with civil rights societies and rebel groups like M23 to oust Tshisekedi, whom he described as incompetent.

Congo River Alliance threatens Kenya and DRC ties

The Opposition leader, who has been in exile, announced the formation of the Congo River Alliance during a meeting held in Nairobi.

"Tshisekedi has failed to manage insecurity and does not deserve to be the president. He somehow doesn't even know that he is the president," Nangaa said during the merger ceremony in Nairobi.

Sources privy to the developments intimated that the DRC's foreign minister had summoned the Kenyan ambassador to the country to give an explanation that spokesman Patrick Muyaya said Kenya owed the DRC.

DRC elections 2023 dates

Muyaya said the happening would have diplomatic consequences.

In a quick retort, Kenya's Prime and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, quashed the DRC's conclusion that Kenya tolerated Nangaa's announcement of a merger with rebel forces.

Mudavadi said it was unfair for the DRC to take action against Kenya, yet the government had nothing to do with Nangaa's announcement.

According to Mudavadi, Kenya takes freedom of expression and the right to assemble seriously, and individuals or groups in Kenya do not need prior permission from the government to engage the media.

East Africa Forces to leave DRC by January 8, 2024

“Kenya further affirms its non-involvement in the internal affairs of the DRC and commits to continue supporting the peace, security, and democratic consolidation of the country,” Mudavadi stated on Sunday, December 17, a day after Kalunga was summoned.

Nangaa made his announcement on Friday, December 15, leading to the recall of Kalunga and the DRC's envoy to Tanzania.

The developments come shortly after the DRC refused to renew the tenure of the East Africa Community Regional Forces a year after requesting the unit.

The South African Development Community will deploy forces to pick up where EACRF left off in January 2024.