Blinken Meets Kagame, Praises Rwanda's Efforts to De-escalate Tensions with Congo

The meeting comes amid a new border clash, highlighting the troubled ties between the two nations.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the World Economic Forum in Davos, expressing U.S. support for efforts toward peaceful resolution of differences between Rwanda and Congo.
Blinken praised Rwanda's efforts to reduce tensions with the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite a new border clash highlighting the troubled ties.
Rwanda's military reported it had shot dead a Congolese soldier and arrested two others after they crossed the border early Tuesday.
Blinken acknowledged the work done by Rwanda, especially over the last couple of months, and Kagame's leadership in trying to find a positive, peaceful way forward.
The meeting is seen as a sign of U.S. hopes for managing the conflict by working with Kagame, who has faced U.S. criticism in the past.