A United States-based Congolese diaspora organisation has strongly criticised President William Ruto’s nomination of a Consul General to Goma, warning that the move risks undermining Congolese sovereignty and destabilising fragile peace efforts in the region.
The Federation of Congolese in the Exile (FICE), led by Dr. Ngoie Joël Nshisso, condemned the decision, describing it as an “alarming attempt to normalise the control of a terrorist militia over Congolese territory.” Goma, located in the volatile North Kivu Province, remains under partial control of the M23 rebel group, which has been widely accused of atrocities and mass displacement of civilians.
“This decision by President Ruto is not diplomacy it is an alarming attempt to legitimise the control of a terrorist militia. By bypassing Kinshasa and ignoring international norms, Kenya risks undoing the hard work of U.S. and Qatari peace efforts and fueling further violence in eastern Congo,” Dr. Nshisso stated.
FICE’s reaction comes on the heels of a strong rebuke from the Congolese government itself. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner dismissed the announcement as inappropriate, citing the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which requires host country approval for any consular appointment. “Any announcement regarding the appointment of a consul in Goma is particularly inappropriate and should not be considered without the approval of the Congolese authorities,” Wagner noted.
In response to the mounting backlash, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi clarified on August 19 that President Ruto’s nomination does not automatically amount to a diplomatic posting. He explained that the nominee, George Kiaria, cannot assume office until both Kenya’s Parliament and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) approve the appointment.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DRC has already expressed concerns about the absence of prior consultations. In line with Kenya’s Constitution and diplomatic practice, once parliamentary approval is granted, Kenya shall formally request Agrément from the DRC before any diplomatic posting,” Mudavadi stated.
The controversy underscores the sensitivity of diplomatic engagements in eastern Congo, where competing interests, armed groups, and ongoing international peace efforts have made the region a delicate geopolitical theatre.
