Rwanda-DRC Tensions Rise After Minister Accuses Congolese Spokesperson of Hate Speech

Kigali, April 9, 2026 - Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Jean-Damascène Bizimana, has accused the Congolese government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, of promoting hate speech targeting Tutsi communities, escalating already strained relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The remarks were made during commemorations marking the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi, where Bizimana alleged that Muyaya had previously described Tutsis as “murderers” during a televised appearance on Télé 50.

Muyaya swiftly rejected the accusation, stating on the social media platform X that the claims were “a lie told on the day of remembrance.”

In response, Bizimana reiterated his position, referencing a July 2024 interview in which Muyaya discussed the long-running conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Rwandan minister argued that such statements contribute to dangerous narratives, warning that “genocide is always preceded by hate speech.”

He also criticized what he described as broader rhetoric from certain Congolese officials, drawing parallels with past figures accused of incitement. Bizimana cited historical examples to underline the potential consequences of inflammatory discourse, particularly in a region marked by recurring tensions and armed conflict.

The dispute comes amid ongoing instability in eastern DRC, where fighting involving armed groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and the AFC/M23 coalition, continues to fuel diplomatic friction between Kinshasa and Kigali.

Muyaya has also recently commented on the presence and role of armed groups in the region, reportedly questioning the effectiveness of military approaches to addressing the FDLR, a group historically linked to individuals involved in the 1994 genocide.

The exchange highlights the sensitivity of public discourse around ethnicity and conflict in the Great Lakes region, where accusations of hate speech and genocide denial carry significant political and historical weight.