Just In: DRC First Lady Survives Assasination Plot, Rwanda Fumes Over Distortion

By Swift Reporter

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has made serious allegations against its neighbor Rwanda, accusing its security agents of attempting to assassinate First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi.

In a statement issued late Tuesday, Congolese authorities alleged that armed agents linked to Rwanda attempted to gain access to the First Lady at a hotel in Washington, D.C., where she is staying. The reported incident has heightened tensions between the two countries, whose relations have long been strained.

According to Congolese media reports, unidentified individuals tried to enter the hotel premises where Mrs. Tshisekedi, 59, is lodged. She is in the U.S. on an official mission at the invitation of the American First Lady.

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed that authorities are treating the matter with seriousness but urged the public to remain calm as investigations continue.

“We are in contact with the American authorities and will get back to you with more details. I want to reassure you that the First Lady is doing well,” Muyaya said during a press briefing.

However, Rwanda swiftly rejected the allegations, describing them as misleading and exaggerated.

In a statement released by the Rwandan Embassy in the United States, officials said the incident involved an unarmed member of a Rwandan VIP security team who “inadvertently encountered security agents of a DRC delegation in a hotel hallway accessible to all guests.”

The embassy explained that the individual was briefly restrained by Congolese security personnel while attempting to access an elevator. It described the reaction as “inappropriate and wrong behavior in a common area,” but emphasized that the situation was resolved without escalation.

“Following this incident, the Rwandan party made a decision to change hotels, but were harassed and filmed by unknown persons as they checked out and departed,” the statement added. “Despite this provocation, the Rwandan team was restrained and professional at all times, and carefully avoided any confrontation.”

Kigali further accused Congolese officials of distorting the facts, calling it a “gross misrepresentation of what transpired.”

The conflicting accounts leave key questions unanswered as authorities in Washington continue to assess the situation. While the DRC maintains that there was a targeted intrusion involving its First Lady, Rwanda insists the episode was merely a misunderstanding between two security teams operating in a shared space.

The incident risks further straining already fragile relations between the two neighboring countries, as diplomatic channels remain engaged to clarify the circumstances surrounding the encounter.