The Democratic Republic of Congo has firmly rejected Kenya’s appointment of a Consul-General to Goma, accusing Nairobi of breaching diplomatic protocol and undermining Congolese sovereignty amid ongoing conflict in the eastern region.

Kenya’s designation of Judy Kiara as Consul-General to Goma announced Friday has sparked outrage in Kinshasa, which claims the move was made without prior consultation or notification, a requirement under international diplomatic norms.

In an official statement, the Congolese Foreign Ministry said the appointment “violates established international procedures and risks being interpreted as legitimizing the occupation of Goma by M23 rebels.”

“This is not just a breach of protocol it is a political misstep,” said a senior Congolese official. “Goma is not a stable diplomatic zone. It is under the control of a rebel movement our government is actively fighting.”

Background

Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, fell under rebel control earlier this year after intense clashes between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 rebel group, which Kinshasa accuses of receiving foreign support, including from regional actors.

The M23’s takeover of Goma has been internationally condemned, and the Congolese government continues to assert its authority over the region.

Kenya’s Position

Kenyan President William Ruto included Judy Kiara’s appointment in a wider diplomatic reshuffle aimed at expanding Kenya’s influence in the Great Lakes region. Nairobi has not publicly responded to Congo’s rejection, but sources within Kenya’s foreign ministry say the appointment was made “in good faith” to support regional diplomacy and Kenyan citizens in Goma.

However, Congo sees it differently as an act of interference in a conflict zone still under military contestation.

Diplomatic Fallout

This latest dispute comes amid tense regional dynamics, with Congo already wary of neighboring countries’ involvement in eastern DRC’s volatile landscape. The African Union and East African Community are expected to be called on to mediate and clarify regional diplomatic boundaries.

As of now, the status of Kenya’s proposed diplomatic mission in Goma remains uncertain, and relations between Kinshasa and Nairobi appear strained.

Jackson was referred to as a “special envoy” representing U.S. President Donald Trump during the discussion. Tshisekedi is currently dealing with a rebellion from the Rwanda-backed M23 group in eastern Congo, and his government is preparing to send a delegation to peace talks in Angola scheduled for Tuesday.

Congo is rich in mineral resources such as cobalt, lithium, and uranium, but the government has not publicly shared specifics regarding a deal with the U.S., only mentioning that it is seeking a variety of partnerships. The statement released on Sunday did not explicitly mention minerals.

Jackson emphasized the importance of creating a peaceful environment to encourage U.S. companies to invest in Congo, stating, “We want to work so that American companies can come and invest and work in the DRC.”

The conflict in eastern Congo, which dates back to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the battle for control over Congo’s mineral wealth, has significantly escalated this year. The M23 group now controls the two largest cities in eastern Congo. Rwanda has been accused of supporting the Tutsi-led M23 rebels, though it denies these claims.

Byron Cabrol, a senior Africa analyst, noted last week that attracting U.S. mining companies to invest in Congo would be challenging due to issues like poor infrastructure, instability, corruption, and the dominance of Chinese firms in the sector.