Kagame: “Rwanda Ready For Confrontation With South Africa”

In a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has accused South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa of spreading “distortions” and “lies” regarding Rwanda’s role in the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The dispute follows the deaths of 13 South African soldiers deployed under a regional peacekeeping mission, with Kagame dismissing claims of Rwandan militia involvement as inflammatory.

Ramaphosa Mourns Fallen Troops

President Ramaphosa confirmed the deaths in a statement on X earlier this week, mourning the 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel killed during clashes between the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and rebel forces.

The soldiers were part of a mission supporting the Congolese military (FARDC) against the M23 rebel group, which Kinshasa and the UN accuse Rwanda of backing—a claim Kigali denies.

Ramaphosa described the SANDF members as “brave soldiers dedicated to peace” and condemned the involvement of the “Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) militia” alongside M23 fighters.

He also extended condolences to Malawi, Tanzania, and UN peacekeepers (MONUSCO) who suffered casualties, emphasising South Africa’s commitment to “peaceful solutions.”

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 Rebuttal

President Kagame fired back in an 11pm post on X, rejecting Ramaphosa’s characterisation 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 stated, adding that SAMIDRC—authorised by SADC—is itself a “belligerent force” collaborating with the DRC government and genocidal groups like the FDLR, which Rwanda alleges targets Tutsi communities and threatens its security.

Kagame criticised SAMIDRC’s mandate, claiming it fuels conflict rather than peace: “SAMIDRC has no place in this situation. It was authorised to engage in offensive combat operations against the DRC’s own people.”

He further warned that Rwanda would “deal with the matter in [a] context of confrontation” if South Africa persists.

Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Implications

The exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two nations, both key players in African geopolitics. Kagame’s assertion that South Africa is “in no position to mediate” underscores deepening fissures over the DRC crisis, where regional alliances have splintered.

While SADC members back Kinshasa, Rwanda and Uganda have been accused of supporting rebel factions—a charge both deny.

South Africa has initiated repatriation efforts for its fallen soldiers, but Ramaphosa’s framing of the RDF as a militia struck a nerve in Kigali, which views the term as a deliberate provocation.

Analysts warn the rhetoric risks inflaming the conflict, with MONUSCO also preparing to withdraw after decades of criticised ineffectiveness.

International Calls for Restraint

The African Union and UN have urged de-escalation, though neither has intervened directly. The U.S. and EU have repeatedly called for Rwanda to cease alleged support for M23, while Rwanda accuses the international community of ignoring FDLR-linked violence.

As diplomatic channels strain, the DRC conflict threatens to draw neighbouring states deeper into violence. With Kagame’s stark warning—”If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with it”—the prospect of a broader regional crisis looms.

This is a developing story. Updates to follow.

---

For SA Political News Follow  SurgeZirc SA on Facebook,  X and Instagram