DRC rejects Rutos newly nominated envoy.

• President William Ruto's pick of a consul general in Goma has been met with a vehement objection from the DRC government
• Through an official dispatch from the State House, Nairobi, Ruto proposed Judy Kiaria to head the consular services in the Eastern DRC locality
• In its objection, Kinshasa argued that it was not consulted before the nomination was made, insisting on its sovereignty

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has disapproved of President William Ruto's designation of a new consul general in Goma.

In an official communique, the DRC's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, lamented that the Kenyan president did not seek the opinion of Kinshasa while making the nomination.

With the volatility in Goma, Kenya ought to have engaged the DRC government before presrcribing its consul general.

Kinshasa asked the Kenyan government to consult prior to any designation aimed at Goma.

"The DRC reiterates that, in accordance with international law and established diplomatic procedures—particularly the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of April 24, 1963—the appointment of a consular head requires the prior consent of Congolese authorities and the issuance of an exequatur by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa, therefore, expects to be officially approached by Nairobi through established diplomatic channels and will respond exclusively through those same channels, in accordance with the principles of courtesy and mutual respect," Wagner said in her French statement.

Ruto's nomination, therefore, remains null and void until the stipulated diplomatic procedures are met, the DRC minister said, insisting on the sovereignty of her country.

Kinshasa said it was ready to engage Kenya in settling the standoff.

"Any announcement regarding the appointment of a consul in Goma is particularly inappropriate and cannot be considered without the approval of Congolese authorities. The DRC, therefore, calls for caution and discernment in public communications to avoid misunderstandings, speculation, or any appearance of legitimising the ongoing illegal occupation," the minister added.

Adding that;

"Based on mutual respect and adherence to established international law, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirms its sovereignty and remains committed to constructive bilateral relations with the Republic of Kenya, as well as to regional cooperation within the East African Community,"