- Rwanda and South Africa are at odds over the escalating conflict in the eastern DRC, with President Kagame accusing South Africa of distorting facts and threatening confrontation.
- South Africa defends its military presence as a peacekeeping effort, while Kagame claims SAMIDRC is a belligerent force aiding anti-Rwandan militias.
- The crisis risks further destabilizing the region, with diplomatic efforts needed to prevent escalation.
Tensions between Rwanda and South Africa have escalated following a public spat between President Paul Kagame and President Cyril Ramaphosa over the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kagame accused South Africa of distorting facts about the crisis and warned that Rwanda is prepared for confrontation if necessary.
Kagame’s statement, made via a late-night post on his X account, was in response to comments by Ramaphosa and other South African officials implicating Rwanda in the violence that has plagued the eastern DRC for decades. The conflict has recently intensified following the deaths of 13 South African soldiers deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).
“What has been said about [the conversations I had with Ramaphosa this week] in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate attacks, and even lies,” Kagame stated.
Deaths of South African soldiers escalate political pressure
The deaths of South African soldiers have triggered an intense political debate in Pretoria, with the government facing mounting pressure to justify its military intervention in the region. South Africa’s involvement in the DRC, which is framed as a regional peacekeeping effort, has now come under scrutiny, with opposition parties and security analysts questioning the mission’s viability and risks.
Defence Minister Ronald Lamola announced that South Africa is engaging with the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council to push for an immediate ceasefire. South African officials have placed the blame for the escalating violence on the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF), suggesting their attacks led to the loss of South African lives.
Kagame’s Counterattack: “SAMIDRC Is Not a Peacekeeping Mission”
In a direct rebuttal to South Africa’s stance, Kagame dismissed the notion that SAMIDRC is a peacekeeping mission, instead labeling it a “belligerent force” that actively supports the Congolese government in its fight against M23 rebels.
He went further, alleging that SAMIDRC operates alongside the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), a militia composed of individuals linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Kagame claimed that FDLR has repeatedly targeted Rwanda and poses a direct security threat to his nation.
According to Kagame, SAMIDRC replaced the East African Community Regional Force, which he described as the only legitimate peacekeeping operation in the region. He also dismissed reports suggesting that Ramaphosa had warned him about Rwanda’s role in the conflict, instead alleging that Ramaphosa had sought logistical support from Rwanda to ensure South African troops had basic supplies like electricity, food, and water.
South Africa’s Stand: A Commitment to Peacekeeping?
President Ramaphosa, in a carefully worded statement, maintained that South Africa’s military presence in the DRC is not an act of aggression against any country, including Rwanda.
“South Africa’s military presence in the eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state,” Ramaphosa stated, noting that SAMIDRC’s mission is to protect civilians and uphold stability in the region.
Ramaphosa called on all parties to honor existing peace agreements, including the Luanda Process, and to respect the territorial integrity of the DRC. He also welcomed a recent United Nations Security Council resolution urging an end to hostilities and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Congolese territory.
The M23 Factor: A Flashpoint in Rwanda-DRC Relations
The M23 rebel group has been at the center of accusations and counter-accusations between Rwanda, South Africa, and the DRC. While South African officials argue that M23 and the RDF are responsible for the deaths of their soldiers, Kagame has insisted that the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) are the actual aggressors.
M23, which claims to represent the interests of Congolese Tutsi communities, has been fighting against the Congolese government, demanding political inclusion and protection from ethnic persecution. The Congolese government, however, views the group as a Rwandan proxy, a claim Kagame has repeatedly denied.
The Risk of Regional Conflagration
The ongoing crisis in the eastern DRC has long been a regional issue, involving multiple actors with competing interests. With Rwanda and South Africa now engaged in a diplomatic and rhetorical war, the risk of a broader conflict looms large.
Rwanda’s warning of a possible confrontation with South Africa raises serious concerns about stability in the Great Lakes region. Analysts warn that if tensions continue to escalate, regional alliances could shift, and the already volatile security situation could deteriorate further.
What’s Next for Regional Diplomacy?
Efforts to de-escalate the situation will likely hinge on diplomatic interventions from regional bodies like the African Union, the East African Community, and the United Nations. Mediation efforts have, however, been complicated by the deep mistrust between the involved parties.
As both Rwanda, and South Africa harden their positions, the fate of millions of people in the eastern DRC hangs in the balance. Whether diplomacy will prevail or tensions will spiral into a direct confrontation remains uncertain.
Read also: DRC terms M23 Rebels’ takeover of Goma a ‘Declaration of War’ by Rwanda
