Rwanda Ready to Collaborate with South Africa
A sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions has emerged, with Rwandan President Paul Kagame accusing South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of disseminating “distortions” and “lies” about Rwanda’s involvement in the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This dispute follows the deaths of 13 South African soldiers who were part of a regional peacekeeping mission, with Kagame dismissing assertions regarding Rwandan militia involvement as inflammatory.
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Ramaphosa Honors Fallen Soldiers
Earlier this week, President Ramaphosa confirmed the fatalities in a statement on X, expressing sorrow for the 13 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who were killed during clashes involving the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and rebel forces.
These soldiers were part of a mission supporting the Congolese military (FARDC) in their fight against the M23 rebel group, which Kinshasa and the UN claim is backed by Rwanda—a charge Kigali vehemently denies.
Ramaphosa honored the SANDF members as “brave soldiers dedicated to peace” and condemned the involvement of the “Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) militia” alongside M23 fighters.
He further expressed condolences to Malawi, Tanzania, and UN peacekeepers (MONUSCO) who sustained casualties, reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to “peaceful resolutions.”
I held two conversations this week with President Ramaphosa on the situation in Eastern DRC, including earlier today. What has been said about these conversations in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate… https://t.co/i78aqtVjpr
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) January 29, 2025
Kagame’s Late-Night Retort
In an 11pm post on X, President Kagame responded, refuting Ramaphosa’s characterization of the RDF as a militia and accusing South Africa of misrepresenting their private discussions.
“The Rwanda Defence Force is an army, not a militia,” Kagame asserted, noting that SAMIDRC—sanctioned by SADC—is itself a “belligerent force” collaborating with the DRC government and groups like the FDLR, which Rwanda claims target Tutsi communities and pose a threat to its security.
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Kagame criticized SAMIDRC’s mission, alleging it escalates conflict rather than promoting peace: “SAMIDRC has no place in this situation. It was authorized to engage in offensive combat against the DRC’s own population.”
He warned that if South Africa continues down this path, Rwanda would “handle the matter in [a] context of confrontation.”
Deteriorating Relations and Regional Repercussions
This exchange indicates a notable decline in relations between the two nations, both of which are significant players in African geopolitics. Kagame’s statement that South Africa is “in no position to mediate” highlights escalating tensions over the DRC crisis, where regional alliances have fractured.
While SADC members support Kinshasa, Rwanda and Uganda face accusations of aiding rebel groups—a claim both nations deny.
South Africa has begun repatriation efforts for its deceased soldiers, yet Ramaphosa’s description of the RDF as a militia has provoked a strong reaction from Kigali, which views this term as a calculated insult.
Analysts warn that such rhetoric risks further inflaming the conflict, particularly as MONUSCO prepares to withdraw after years of criticized effectiveness.
International Appeals for Calm
The African Union and UN have called for de-escalation, though neither has made direct interventions. The U.S. and EU have repeatedly urged Rwanda to halt its alleged support for M23, while Rwanda contends that the international community ignores violence linked to the FDLR.
As diplomatic channels fray, the DRC conflict threatens to drag neighboring states into deeper violence. With Kagame’s stark warning—”If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with it”—the risk of a broader regional crisis looms.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
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