Kagame Cornered Ahead of Washington Peace Talks With Congo

Under intense US pressure, Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi are expected in Washington on December 4 for a peace summit. But can there be real peace when Rwanda-backed M23 rebels still occupy Congolese territory, and Rwanda refuses to withdraw its troops?

Even Rwanda’s own foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, on RFI, admitted that Rwanda’s military withdrawal is conditional, not promised. Worse, he confirmed that M23 is blocking FDLR fighters from surrendering to MONUSCO, directly exposing Kigali’s control over rebel operations in eastern DRC. These are not peace negotiations; they are strategic stalling tactics.

Meanwhile, Kagame’s tone during his November 27 press conference was strikingly meek. The man once praised as a “regional strongman” now appeared cornered:

“Even the possibility of meeting in Washington is new... We’ve been limping... but at least there is that framework.”

This is not diplomacy, it’s desperation. Kagame isn't coming to Washington because he wants peace. He's being dragged there by mounting international pressure, sanctions threats, and global exposure of Rwanda’s plunder economy built on Congolese minerals.

For over a decade, Rwanda has supported proxy militias like M23 to occupy strategic mining zones in North Kivu. UN reports, regional observers, and Congolese officials have consistently documented Rwanda’s illegal economic war in Congo. Kagame’s refusal to withdraw, even after signing the June 27 Washington peace accord, proves that Rwanda is not interested in peace, only profit.

President Tshisekedi, however, is seizing the moment. His participation in Washington is not a sign of surrender; it is a strategic decision to place Congo’s demands at the center of global diplomacy. Far from conceding, Tshisekedi is asserting Congo’s red lines: sovereignty, territorial integrity, and real accountability. His leadership has already led to international recognition, and the Washington summit offers an opportunity to expose Kigali’s duplicity on the world stage.

That leadership is echoed by his government. Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya recently reaffirmed Congo’s sovereignty, declaring that the reopening of Goma Airport, currently blocked by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, will happen only under the full authority of Kinshasa. "Those who oppose urgent humanitarian assistance do not just deny the crisis; they expose the brutality of their methods and the true face of their leadership," Muyaya stated.

The stakes for Congo are high. Accepting a symbolic handshake without real action would mean legitimizing the occupation of its own territory. Tshisekedi must, and will, stand firm.

Congo demand already is clear:

• Total and verified M23 withdrawal from all Congolese territory.

• Public and irreversible withdrawal of Rwandan forces.

• Neutral international monitors to verify troop movements and enforce consequences.

• Clear accountability mechanisms for past war crimes and mineral looting.

The Congolese people have suffered too long from fake ceasefires, broken promises, and regional interference. Washington should not become the stage for another superficial deal that benefits Rwanda and weakens Congo’s sovereignty.

This time, Congo walks into the room not begging for peace, but leading the demand for it.