By Ollus Ndomu
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has declined to sign a security cooperation memorandum between China and the East African Community (EAC) during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), citing ongoing tensions with Rwanda. DRC Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior, Jacquemain Shabani, stated that Kinshasa withheld its signature due to the EAC’s failure to condemn what it described as Rwanda’s “aggression” and to uphold the principle of territorial integrity.
Kinshasa has long accused the Rwandan military of supporting the M23 rebellion in the eastern province of North Kivu—claims that Rwanda denies but have been supported by UN reports.
