Patrick Muyaya, the spokesperson for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government, reaffirmed that Rwanda is considered the primary adversary in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. Speaking at a press conference on May 27, 2025, Muyaya emphasized that despite former President Joseph Kabila’s recent visit to Goma—a city under M23 rebel control—the government’s focus remains on addressing the challenges posed by Rwanda.
“For the past two years, we have been engaged in a struggle against Rwanda,” Muyaya stated. “Currently, we are in discussions in Washington to find solutions, and our adversary in these talks is Rwanda. There is no reason to divert our attention to those playing secondary roles in Rwanda’s provocations.”
Muyaya criticized Kabila’s recent statements, suggesting they were a call to arms and not aligned with democratic principles. He questioned the legitimacy of Kabila’s political maneuvers, especially given his and his party’s absence from recent elections.
The spokesperson further highlighted the DRC’s commitment to moving forward, distancing itself from past issues like corruption and exploitation of mineral resources, particularly by Rwanda. He called for unity behind President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi to end the ongoing conflict.
Kabila’s recent remarks painted a grim picture of the DRC’s current state, criticizing the government’s handling of corruption, mismanagement, and the erosion of the rule of law. He pointed to rising unemployment, delayed salaries, deteriorating living conditions, and increased urban crime as indicators of governance failure.
