KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The East African nation of Tanzania — long a force of quiet power in the region and a voice of restraint and non-interference in other countries’ affairs — is embroiled in a potentially ugly feud with Rwanda and its press after Tanzania’s president urged Rwanda’s government to negotiate with a Congo-based Rwandan rebel group.

Since those comments last year on the sidelines of an African Union summit Rwanda’s government has rebuked President Jakaya Kikwete, suggesting he sympathizes with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR rebel group. Rwanda insists there can be no negotiations with rebels whose members are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide that saw more than 500,000 people killed.