Barnabé Kikaya Bin Karubi, a close confidant and advisor of Joseph Kabila Kabange, has denied allegations that the former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo supports Rwanda.
These accusations have been raised by the government of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, Kabila’s successor.
The claims, which suggest that Kabila is backing Rwanda and the M23 rebel group, intensified in April this year when Kabila announced his intention to return from exile to the city of Goma — which has been under M23 control for about five months.
Karubi, who served as Minister of Communication, Kabila’s private secretary, and his diplomatic advisor, told ACTUALITE.CD in a recent interview that the accusations against his former boss are baseless and are meant to erode public trust in him.
He stated:
“I don’t believe President Kabila supports Rwanda. Rwanda is our neighbor, and will always be. This shouldn’t even be a question, because President Kabila has no authority to oppose a neighboring country.”
He continued:
“President Kabila is in Goma, a city controlled by M23 rebels. This claim that he’s supported by Rwanda — even Western media once pushed that line, but now they’ve started moving away from it.”
Karubi also acknowledged the military strength of M23, noting that they demonstrated their capability during the battle for Goma, where they defeated forces from SADC countries and white mercenaries.
He revealed that both he and Kabila share the same goal — ending the oppressive rule of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi.
He said:
“The rebels in Goma are clearly fighting dictatorship. That’s where our interests align — we, alongside unarmed opposition figures supporting President Kabila, have made the decision to put an end to dictatorship. That’s what the Congolese people expect. We must free them from tyranny — and we will.”
Karubi added that Kabila is in Goma because it is the only place where he feels safe, especially after being constantly harassed by the Kinshasa regime, which has stripped him of his immunity and threatened to bring him to justice.
He concluded by saying that Kabila’s presence in Goma should not be problematic, since M23’s control of the city does not make it foreign territory.
