By Staff Reporter
JOHANNESBURG – Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has launched a sharp rebuke against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of spreading lies and distorting their private conversations about the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The dispute escalated following the deaths of 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers during clashes with M23 rebels in eastern DRC.
In a strongly worded statement on the social media platform X, Kagame dismissed claims made by South African officials and Ramaphosa regarding their discussions.
According to Kagame, Ramaphosa had privately confirmed that the soldiers were killed not by M23 rebels, as initially reported, but by the DRC’s own armed forces (FARDC).
Kagame’s statement emphasized what he called the “distortion” and “deliberate attacks” coming from South African officials. He expressed frustration at how their confidential discussions had been misrepresented publicly. “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 remarked.
A few key points from Kagame’s statement further clarified his position on the DRC conflict:
✅Rwanda’s Military Identity – Kagame firmly rejected any portrayal of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) as a militia, underscoring that it is a regular army.
✅SAMIDRC and Peacekeeping – He criticized the South African-led SAMIDRC force, calling it a belligerent force rather than a peacekeeping one. Kagame claimed SAMIDRC had been authorized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to engage in offensive combat alongside the DRC government, including fighting alongside armed groups like the FDLR, which has a history of targeting Rwanda.
✅Peacekeeping Failure – Kagame suggested that the deployment of SAMIDRC had displaced a legitimate peacekeeping force, the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), and contributed to the failure of peace negotiations in the region.
✅Ramaphosa’s Statements – Kagame directly challenged Ramaphosa’s claims of having issued a “warning” to Rwanda. According to Kagame, no such warning was given unless it was in a language he did not understand. He also stated that Ramaphosa had asked for logistical support for the South African forces, including provisions like electricity, food, and water—support that Rwanda was willing to assist with.
✅South Africa’s Role in Peace – While Kagame acknowledged South Africa’s potential role in fostering peace, he was clear in asserting that South Africa had no position to act as a mediator or peacemaker. He warned that if South Africa opted for confrontation rather than cooperation, Rwanda would respond accordingly.
Kagame’s remarks come amid increasing tensions between the two nations over the volatile situation in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebellion and multiple armed factions continue to destabilize the region. The deaths of the SANDF soldiers have added fuel to an already charged political atmosphere, with Rwanda and South Africa at odds over their respective roles in the conflict.
In his closing statement, Kagame warned that Rwanda would be prepared to respond militarily if necessary, signaling that the already fragile situation in the DRC could further deteriorate if confrontations continue.
