A fresh diplomatic storm is brewing between Kigali and Kinshasa after claims emerged linking a senior Rwandan military official to an alleged assassination attempt targeting the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi during a recent visit to the United States.
The incident which occurred earlier this week in Washington during high-level diplomatic engagements has quickly escalated into a diplomatic dispute between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
Congolese officials had earlier suggested that unidentified individuals attempted to access areas near the First Lady’s accommodation, prompting swift intervention by her security detail.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed that authorities were working with U.S. officials to establish the facts while assuring the public that the First Lady was unharmed.
However, unverified claims circulating online and among political commentators have since gone further, alleging the involvement of a Rwandan defence attaché based in Washington a claim that has not been independently confirmed by authorities in either country.
While Kinshasa framed the incident as a potential security breach or attempted intrusion, Kigali has strongly rejected that characterization.
In an official statement, the Rwandan government described the incident as a “minor misunderstanding” involving an unarmed member of its VIP security detail who encountered Congolese security personnel in a shared hotel corridor.
According to Kigali, the situation escalated briefly when the Rwandan officer was blocked from accessing an elevator by Congolese guards, before being resolved without further incident.
Rwandan officials insist that no attack took place dismissing allegations of an assassination attempt as “gross misrepresentation” and “blatant falsehoods.”
Kigali further accused Congolese authorities of distorting the incident for political purposes, stating that the claims should be “disregarded and condemned.”
Kigali also revealed that its delegation opted to relocate to another hotel following the confrontation alleging harassment and filming by unidentified individuals during their departure.
Despite the tensions, there have been no reports of injuries or arrests and U.S. authorities have yet to issue a public statement on the matter.
