Algeria loses another ally in Africa after DRC fallout

Diplomatic tensions flared in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week following a visit by the Algerian army chief of staff, General Saïd Chanegriha, to Rwanda on February 20th.

This move prompted the DRC’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula, to summon the Algerian ambassador in Kinshasa, Mohamed Yazid Bouzid, on Monday for clarification.

The visit, seen as a controversial act amidst ongoing conflict between the DRC and Rwanda, has revived regional tensions. 

Following the meeting, General Chanegriha spoke to the media, highlighting the positive relationship between the two armies and their shared commitment to further strengthening these ties through the visit.

“We deemed it essential to explore various avenues that could bolster our cooperation in addressing forthcoming challenges, given the geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics impacting Africa and neighboring regions. Our communication has always been ongoing, and with this visit, our ties will be further solidified,” said Gen Chanegriha.

The Algerian Army Chief paid respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Kimihurura.

By openly supporting Rwanda amid rising tensions in the Great Lakes region, Algeria risks being perceived as partial and not neutral. This could undermine its mediation efforts in other African crises, particularly in Mali and Niger. 

Further raising concerns, Algeria, which recently concluded military agreements with Rwanda, faces accusations from the DRC of potentially aiding Kigali’s perceived expansionist ambitions.

Despite the DRC’s concerns and the diplomatic summons, Algerian authorities have remained silent on the matter, leaving their future response shrouded in uncertainty. 

Relations between DRC and Rwanda have long been strained, marked by accusations of meddling and support for armed groups. 

The DRC specifically accuses Rwanda of backing the M23, a rebel group operating in the eastern DRC, while Kigali vehemently denies any involvement.

Adding to the existing tensions, the United States, France, and other international actors have condemned the continued offensives by the M23 and the alleged Rwandan support, including the presence of Rwandan troops on Congolese soil. 

In this context, General Chanegriha’s visit to Rwanda, followed by the swift summoning of the Algerian ambassador, underscores the escalating geopolitical complexities in the Great Lakes region.