By Maazi Ezeoke
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwandan President Paul Kagame has publicly criticized South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for what he described as distortions and deliberate attacks in the media regarding their recent discussions on the situation. This escalation comes after a series of communications between the two leaders aimed at addressing the volatile situation in the DRC.
President Kagame took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify several points, stating, “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.” He emphasized that the Rwanda Defence Force is an army, not a militia, countering any misrepresentation of Rwanda’s military involvement in the region.
The core of Kagame’s contention lies with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which he argues is not a peacekeeping force but rather a belligerent entity engaging in offensive operations. He stated, “SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force, and it has no place in this situation,” highlighting its role in displacing what he considers a true peacekeeping force, the East African Community Regional Force, which he believes contributed to the failure of negotiation processes.
Kagame also denied any warnings issued by Ramaphosa, clarifying that their discussions were focused on logistical support for South African forces, such as ensuring adequate electricity, food, and water supplies. He further corrected the narrative around the deaths of South African soldiers in the conflict, asserting that it was the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and not the M23 rebels who were responsible.
Amidst these clarifications, President Kagame issued a stark warning regarding South Africa’s role, stating, “If South Africa wants to contribute to peaceful solutions, that is well and good, but South Africa is in no position to take on the role of a peacemaker or mediator. And if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”
This public dispute comes at a time when the United Nations Security Council has called for an immediate end to hostilities in the DRC, the reversal of territorial gains by M23, and the exit of external forces, alongside a push for resuming peace talks under the Nairobi Process. Kagame’s post underscores Rwanda’s stance on the territorial integrity of DRC, in line with the United Nations Charter, and calls for all parties to embrace diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution.
The tension between Rwanda and South Africa highlights the broader challenge of international mediation in regional conflicts, where differing national interests and interpretations of peacekeeping roles can lead to diplomatic frictions. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that brings lasting peace to the troubled region.
