Rwandan President Paul Kagame has issued a strong warning in response to South Africa’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
His remarks have set the stage for heightened diplomatic tensions as he challenged South Africa’s narrative on their recent discussions.
Kagame accused South African officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa of distorting facts about their conversations. He expressed frustration over what he described as deliberate attacks and misinformation.
“What has been said about these conversations in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate attacks and even lies. If words can change so much from a conversation to a public statement, it says a lot about how these very important issues are being managed,” Kagame stated.
Addressing claims about the role of the Rwandan Defence Force, Kagame made it clear that Rwanda’s army should not be equated to militia groups. He also criticized the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) which he described as a belligerent force rather than a peacekeeping mission.
Kagame alleged that SAMIDRC’s involvement displaced the East African Community Regional Force undermining peace negotiations and contributing to the failure of diplomatic processes.
He further accused the mission of aligning with genocidal armed groups targeting Rwanda.
Kagame also claimed that Ramaphosa himself had confirmed that the South African soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict were not killed by the M23 rebels but by the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).
“President Ramaphosa confirmed to me that M23 did not kill the soldiers from South Africa; FARDC did,” Kagame asserted.
The Rwandan leader did not mince words when it came to the possibility of confrontation. “If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day,” he warned.
However, Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed allegations of hostility towards Rwanda, reiterating that South Africa’s mission is part of broader efforts by SADC and the United Nations to stabilize the DRC. Ramaphosa acknowledged the tense and volatile conditions facing South African troops and pledged continued support.
“South Africa’s military presence in the eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state. The members of the South African National Defence Force that are in the DRC are part of both SADC and United Nations efforts to bring peace and protect thousands of lives that are constantly threatened by the conflict,” he explained.
Ramaphosa welcomed the position that was recently adopted by the United Nations Security Council during its special sitting on the situation in the DRC, which calls for an immediate end to hostilities, the reversal of territorial expansion by the M23, the exit of external forces from the DRC and the resumption of peace talks under the Nairobi Process.
He noted, “The territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected in accordance with the United Nations Charter on the respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of other states.”
He called on all parties to this conflict to fully embrace the current diplomatic efforts that are aimed at finding a peaceful resolution, including honoring the Luanda Process agreements.
“We must silence the guns on our continent for the attainment of inclusive development and prosperity,” he cautioned.
In the 24th Extra Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State on the Recent Developments in the Eastern DRC held yesterday, the Summit deliberated on the developments and deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, which led to the loss of lives, a humanitarian crisis, and suffering of people, particularly women and children.
The Summit offered condolences to the families of those affected by the recent developments in the eastern DRC and further wished a quick recovery to those injured.
The Summit expressed concern about the expanding crisis manifesting in attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies, and staff based in Kinshasa. Accordingly, the Summit urged the government of the DRC to protect diplomatic missions, lives, and property.
The Summit called on all parties to the conflict in eastern DRC to cease hostilities and observe an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian access to the affected population.
The Summit called for the peaceful settlement of the conflicts and strongly urged the government of the DRC to directly engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances.
Noting that the South African Development Community (SADC) has also been involved in eastern DRC, the Summit decided on a joint EAC-SADC summit to deliberate on the way forward and mandated the Chairperson to consult with the Chairperson of SADC on the urgent convening of the same in the next few days.
The Summit commended the Chairperson of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State for convening the 24th Extraordinary Summit to deliberate on the recent developments in eastern DRC.
