Intelligence Brief | Kenya Appoints Consul to Rebel-Held Goma, Sparks DRC Diplomatic Crisis
Ujasusi Blog’Great Lakes Region Monitoring Team | 16 August 2025 | 2325 BST
Executive Summary
On June 22, 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) formally protested Kenya’s appointment of Judy Kiaria Nkumiri as Consul-General to Goma—a city currently under the control of the M23 rebel group in North Kivu province. This move has triggered a sharp diplomatic rift between Nairobi and Kinshasa, reigniting long-standing tensions rooted in regional security dynamics, sovereignty disputes, and allegations of foreign interference in the eastern DRC conflict.
The DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, condemned the appointment as a violation of its territorial integrity and an affront to established diplomatic protocols. The protest centres on two key issues: (1) Kenya’s failure to obtain prior approval (exequatur) from the DRC government before announcing the appointment, and (2) the fact that Goma remains under illegal occupation by the M23/AFC coalition, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda.
This intelligence brief provides a comprehensive analysis of the diplomatic, political, and security implications of Kenya’s controversial decision. It examines the background of Kenya-DRC relations, the status of the M23 insurgency, the role of regional actors—including Rwanda and Qatar—and the broader impact on East African Community (EAC) cohesion. Additionally, the report explores the legal and diplomatic frameworks governing consular appointments, assesses the credibility of accusations against Kenya, and offers strategic recommendations for de-escalation.