Rwanda denies ulterior motives after security incident involving DRC First Lady at US hotel

Some of the unconfirmed claims were that there was an attempted unlawful and hostile breach of the First Lady’s hotel room, but security officials intervened, and local security agencies are following up on the matter.

The Rwandan Embassy in the US has denied claims of ulterior motives following the presence of the security detail of a Rwandan VIP at a hotel in Washington DC, where the DRC’s first lady and her delegation have been staying. The First Lady, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, is in Washington for the Summit of the Fostering the Future Together Coalition , an initiative of the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump. More To Read Kabila speaks out on Goma drone attack, slams ‘Tshisekedi’s tyranny’ UNICEF official visits Goma after drone attack that killed humanitarian worker Belgian diplomat faces trial over 1961 Congo leader killing DRC, Rwanda agree on new steps to de-escalate tensions after Washington talks ICRC says conflict in DRC has driven 65,000 refugees to Busuma Camp in Burundi France requests Security Council meeting on escalating situation in eastern DRC Some of the unconfirmed claims were that there was an attempted unlawful and hostile breach of the First Lady’s hotel room, but security officials intervened, and local security agencies are following up on the matter. DRC first reported the encounter between the individual, only first identified as a Rwandan security agent, and the DRC security officials, claiming there was an ulterior motive. Government Spokesperson, Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya, explained that the First Lady is in the country on invitation by the US First Lady and had been staying at the hotel for a few days before the encounter. After the incident, Muyaya, in a press briefing, alleged ulterior motives by the said individual(s). “We are in with the American authorities and will get back to you as soon as we have more details. I want to reassure the public: the First Lady is doing well,” he said. In a statement, the Rwandan Embassy has, however, explained that the unarmed member was a security detail of a Rwandan VIP staying at the hotel and that he inadvertently encountered the security agents of a DRC delegation in a hallway accessible to all guests. “The Rwandan detail member was briefly restrained from accessing the elevator by the DRC security agents, which was inappropriate and wrong behaviour in a common area, but the matter was eventually resolved without further escalation,” the statement notes. According to Rwanda, there has been gross misrepresentation of what transpired, ‘including blatant dishonesty by the DRC Minister of Information in a press conference last night’. “These contemptible lies should be disregarded and condemned,” the Embassy said. The Embassy added that following the incident, the Rwandan party made a decision to change hotels, ‘but were harassed and filmed by unknown persons as they checked out and departed.' “Despite this provocation, the Rwandan team was restrained and professional at all times, and carefully avoided any confrontation,” the Embassy adds. While in Washington, Tshisekedi has met and exchanged views with Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She said in a post on X that their discussions focused on the situation of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in conflict zones, where sexual violence remains a major concern. “I reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening their protection, combating impunity, and promoting the role of women in peacebuilding. As long as women's bodies are used as a weapon of war, peace will remain out of reach. Because some causes are too just to be slowed down, more than ever, I remain standing and committed to advancing this essential fight,” she said. Other Topics To Read Regional Rwanda Democratic Republic of Congo DRC DRC President Felix Tshisekedi DRC-Rwanda conflict Rwandan Embassy Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Melania Trump Rwanda denies ulterior motives after security incident involving DRC First Lady at US hotel Headlines

The Rwandan Embassy in the US has denied claims of ulterior motives following the presence of the security detail of a Rwandan VIP at a hotel in Washington DC, where the DRC’s first lady and her delegation have been staying.

The First Lady, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, is in Washington for the Summit of the Fostering the Future Together Coalition , an initiative of the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump.

Some of the unconfirmed claims were that there was an attempted unlawful and hostile breach of the First Lady’s hotel room, but security officials intervened, and local security agencies are following up on the matter.

DRC first reported the encounter between the individual, only first identified as a Rwandan security agent, and the DRC security officials, claiming there was an ulterior motive.

Government Spokesperson, Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya, explained that the First Lady is in the country on invitation by the US First Lady and had been staying at the hotel for a few days before the encounter. After the incident, Muyaya, in a press briefing, alleged ulterior motives by the said individual(s).

“We are in with the American authorities and will get back to you as soon as we have more details. I want to reassure the public: the First Lady is doing well,” he said.

In a statement, the Rwandan Embassy has, however, explained that the unarmed member was a security detail of a Rwandan VIP staying at the hotel and that he inadvertently encountered the security agents of a DRC delegation in a hallway accessible to all guests.

“The Rwandan detail member was briefly restrained from accessing the elevator by the DRC security agents, which was inappropriate and wrong behaviour in a common area, but the matter was eventually resolved without further escalation,” the statement notes.

According to Rwanda, there has been gross misrepresentation of what transpired, ‘including blatant dishonesty by the DRC Minister of Information in a press conference last night’.

“These contemptible lies should be disregarded and condemned,” the Embassy said.

The Embassy added that following the incident, the Rwandan party made a decision to change hotels, ‘but were harassed and filmed by unknown persons as they checked out and departed.'

“Despite this provocation, the Rwandan team was restrained and professional at all times, and carefully avoided any confrontation,” the Embassy adds.

While in Washington, Tshisekedi has met and exchanged views with Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.

She said in a post on X that their discussions focused on the situation of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in conflict zones, where sexual violence remains a major concern.

“I reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening their protection, combating impunity, and promoting the role of women in peacebuilding. As long as women's bodies are used as a weapon of war, peace will remain out of reach. Because some causes are too just to be slowed down, more than ever, I remain standing and committed to advancing this essential fight,” she said.

Top Stories Today Senate orders police to produce Governor Sakaja over missed audit grilling Kenya showcases Sh374 billion in investment deals at 2026 international conference COFEK demands immediate suspension of fuel levy over lack of public participation Jaramogi Referral Hospital urges families to claim 47 uncollected bodies within 21 days Court of Appeal clears Mike Sonko as bid to block Sh537 million release fails Court faults police over Kisumu protest killings, orders up to Sh4.8 million payouts