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.