Speaking during a candid and revealing interview with new media journalist Mario Nawfal, President Kagame stated that the "good country" doesn't deserve a leader like Tshisekedi.
'I would tell him I wish he wasn't president of that good country,' he responded when asked what he would tell the DRC Head of State if they met.
He added, 'Next time I meet him, I will tell him that.'
Kagame's comments come amid ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, particularly in eastern Congo, where Rwanda has repeatedly accused Congolese authorities of hosting and collaborating with the FDLR militia groupâ€"linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsiâ€"to destabilize Rwanda.
The Head of State criticized Tshisekedi's handling of the crisis in eastern Congo, accusing him of mismanaging the country and lacking commitment to resolving the conflict, where M23 rebels continue to battle the Congolese army and its coalition of forces.
He also questioned Tshisekedi's background and leadership capabilities, referencing his time in Belgium where he worked as a taxi driver and pizza deliveryman.
Kagame cited a revealing account from Francisco Piscopo, the owner of Pizzeria Godo in Brussels, where Tshisekedi was once employed before rising to the presidency.
In a previous interview, Piscopo described how he hired Tshisekedi despite his lack of formal education or qualifications.
According to Piscopo, Tshisekedi displayed poor work ethic and disorganization, which made his eventual rise to the presidency surprising.
'He was always late, disorganized, and with funds disappearing without explanation,' Piscopo revealed.
The businessman also expressed disappointment over how Tshisekedi has mismanaged the DRC, citing media reports of continued dysfunction.
In the interview, President Kagame criticized Tshisekedi's approach to the conflict in eastern Congo, particularly his refusal to engage in dialogue with the M23 rebels. He also cast doubt on Tshisekedi's political legitimacy, insisting that he was never fairly elected.
'By the way, I don't mind how he became president. He was not elected either time. The first time, Joseph [Kabila] handed power over to himâ€"there's no question about that. The second time, he simply declared himself the winner, and everyone was told to keep quiet. But that's not my problem,' Kagame remarked.
To resolve the conflict in the east, Kagame outlined three steps that could help bring an end to the prolonged crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These steps include agreeing to halt hostilities, engaging in dialogue with the M23 rebel group, and recognizing that Rwanda's security concerns are non-negotiable.
While acknowledging that the crisis may not be fully resolved immediately, Kagame emphasized that these measures could pave the way for lasting peace following the capture of Goma and Bukavu, key cities in the North and South Kivu provinces.
'That will require the leaders of Congo to take the bull by the horns and accept reality, and say, 'I must talk to these Congolese who oppose me, I must listen to them and their grievances. Even if they address six out of ten concerns, that is progress,'' Kagame noted.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kagame-i-wish-tshisekedi-wasn-t-president-of-the-good-congo
