Kenya-DRC Diplomatic Tensions Over Goma Consulate Appointment

African Security Analysis (ASA), August 16, 2025

Kenya’s recent diplomatic moves in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have highlighted the sensitive intersection of diplomacy and security in the Great Lakes region. President William Ruto’s proposals to appoint Ambassador Moni Manyange as Deputy in Kinshasa and Ms. Judy Kiaria as Consul in Goma have triggered contrasting reactions from the DRC government. While the nomination for Kinshasa is expected to proceed smoothly, the proposed consulate in Goma has met resistance from Kinshasa, reflecting broader political and security concerns.

On August 16, 2025, the DRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINAFET) issued a communiqué stating that all consular appointments require formal accreditation from Kinshasa. The statement also described the establishment of a consulate in Goma as “inappropriate,” citing the city’s ongoing occupation by M23/AFC forces with alleged support from Rwanda.

A Closer Look at Kenya’s Nominations

Ambassador Manyange’s posting to Kinshasa is largely procedural and expected to gain approval. In contrast, Ms. Kiaria’s appointment to Goma touches on a highly sensitive political and security context. The usual process involves parliamentary vetting in Kenya, formal submission of an accreditation request to Kinshasa, and then the DRC’s response—which could range from approval, refusal, or conditional approval requiring relocation to Beni, North Kivu’s temporary administrative centre.

Legal and Political Dimensions

Legally, the DRC’s stance aligns with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), which requires host-state accreditation for consular officials. Politically, however, the public nature of the communiqué carries deeper implications. By emphasizing Goma’s occupation, Kinshasa signals that any Kenyan consular presence in the city could be interpreted as legitimizing the M23/AFC, a position Nairobi must carefully navigate.

Historical Context

Kenya’s interest in maintaining a consular presence in Goma is not new. Under President Uhuru Kenyatta in April 2022, Dennis Waweru was appointed Consul General in Goma while chairing the Kenya Investment Authority—months before M23 seized Bunagana. More recently, in April 2024, President Ruto’s nomination of Charles Githinji as Consul was rejected by Kenya’s Parliament due to credibility concerns, delaying the appointment process for over a year.

Implications and ASA Analysis

ASA assesses that the August 16 communiqué is more than a procedural statement; it is a deliberate political message. It reasserts the DRC’s sovereignty over consular appointments and underscores that Nairobi must not appear to endorse the M23/AFC occupation.

By publicizing the statement rather than handling it quietly through diplomatic channels, Kinshasa increases bilateral pressure on Kenya. The communiqué may also serve as an indirect warning regarding Joseph Kabila Kabange (JKK), whose political and economic engagements in Nairobi are viewed by Kinshasa as potential parallel diplomacy that undermines the authority of the current government.

Overall, the communiqué reflects a layered strategy: reaffirming state sovereignty, curbing potential parallel diplomatic channels linked to JKK, and signalling that Kenya’s engagement with the DRC must respect Kinshasa’s primacy in decision-making.

Conclusion

The episode illustrates the intricate balance between diplomacy, regional security, and political messaging in the Great Lakes. Kenya’s desire for a consular presence in Goma predates the current security crisis, but Kinshasa’s firm response highlights the sensitivities of any engagement in contested areas. For Nairobi, the situation underscores the need for careful calibration in navigating DRC relations while avoiding perceptions that could embolden non-state actors or regional rivalries.