Tensions between Rwanda and South Africa have reached new heights as Rwandan President Paul Kagame openly accused South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of pretending to be a mediator in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict while allegedly supporting armed groups.
Speaking at an Extraordinary Summit of East African Community (EAC) heads of state, Kagame did not hold back, stating that Ramaphosa’s government was actively backing the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group Kigali considers a threat.
“He [Ramaphosa] is also there pretending to be playing a peacemaker role, and he has a force that has been fighting alongside FDLR and has been fighting the M23 on the instruction of Tshisekedi.”
President Paul Kagame
The remarks came amid a sharp rise in hostilities in Eastern DRC, where M23 rebels, whom the DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting, have intensified attacks. Rwanda has consistently denied involvement, instead arguing that DRC is harboring groups hostile to Kigali.
Kagame’s comments were not limited to the summit. He took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to criticize Ramaphosa’s statements about the ongoing conflict, particularly the South African leader’s characterization of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF).
“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.”
President Paul Kagame
Kagame’s frustration stemmed from Ramaphosa’s public statement mourning the loss of 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who died in combat in the DRC.
Ramaphosa condemned the attacks, which also claimed the lives of peacekeepers from Malawi and Tanzania, and attributed the escalation to “the rebel group M23 and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militia engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).” It was this reference to the RDF as a “militia” that drew Kagame’s ire, prompting him to respond.
“The Rwanda Defence Force is an army, not a militia. SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force, and it has no place in this situation. It was authorised by SADC as a belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operations to help the DRC government fight against its own people, working alongside genocidal armed groups like FDLR which target Rwanda, while also threatening to take the war to Rwanda itself.”
President Paul Kagame
Diplomatic Ties at Risk
Kagame also revealed that he had spoken with Ramaphosa twice in recent days regarding the conflict, but suggested that Pretoria was distorting their discussions in public statements. His most ominous warning came in a closing remark on X, where he stated: “If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”
This rhetoric has raised concerns about a deepening diplomatic rift between the two African nations. South Africa has long positioned itself as a key player in regional peacekeeping efforts, yet Kagame’s accusations suggest that Pretoria’s involvement in the DRC may be more complex than it appears.
For his part, Ramaphosa has maintained a statesmanlike approach, focusing on honoring the fallen South African soldiers and expressing solidarity with their families. However, his administration now faces mounting pressure to clarify its stance on the conflict, particularly in light of Kagame’s claims.
As the situation in Eastern DRC continues to spiral, the fallout from this diplomatic clash could have significant implications for both nations and the broader stability of the region. Whether Rwanda and South Africa can mend ties or if tensions will escalate further remains to be seen.
READ ALSO: Adekunle Gold Reflects on Overcoming Fear of Losing People
