Tensions between Rwanda and South Africa have intensified following heated exchanges between Presidents Paul Kagame and Cyril Ramaphosa over the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The ongoing violence, centered around the city of Goma, has drawn in regional and international forces, further complicating efforts for peace.
Clashing Narratives on the Goma Conflict
President Kagame, in a strongly worded statement, dismissed claims that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) was a militia, refuting allegations made by South African officials. He also criticized the Southern African Development Community Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC), arguing that it was not a peacekeeping force but a belligerent military intervention aiding the DRC government against its own people. Kagame accused SAMIDRC of working alongside the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and stated that the force’s presence undermined previous peace efforts.
Kagame also challenged President Ramaphosa’s remarks on South African casualties, asserting that Ramaphosa personally confirmed to him that M23 rebels did not kill South African soldiers—blaming the Congolese army (FARDC) instead. Furthermore, he dismissed any notion of receiving a warning from Ramaphosa and suggested that South Africa’s involvement in the conflict was either misguided or intentionally provocative.
“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,” Kagame warned.
South Africa Mourns Soldiers, Defends Military Presence
In contrast, President Ramaphosa painted a different picture, mourning the loss of 13 South African soldiers and condemning the escalation of violence. He accused the M23 rebels, which Rwanda is alleged to support, of attacking South African and allied peacekeeping forces.
Ramaphosa reaffirmed that South Africa’s military presence in the DRC was not an act of war against any state but rather a commitment to regional stability. He emphasized that SAMIDRC was working within the framework of SADC and the United Nations (UN) to restore peace and protect civilians.
“The territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected in accordance with the United Nations Charter on sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states,” Ramaphosa stated, reiterating the need for all parties to respect diplomatic efforts such as the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes.
Regional and International Implications
The exchange between Kagame and Ramaphosa exposes deepening divisions among African leaders over the handling of the DRC crisis. While SADC countries back the Congolese government against M23 rebels, Rwanda insists that the conflict is being fueled by Kinshasa’s alliances with anti-Rwandan militia groups. The collapse of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) and its replacement with SAMIDRC has further complicated matters, raising concerns over competing regional interests.
With the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign forces, the road to peace in eastern DRC remains uncertain. The escalating rhetoric between Kigali and Pretoria underscores the fragile nature of diplomatic efforts, as both sides dig in their positions.
As the situation in Goma remains volatile, the question now is whether regional leaders will prioritize diplomacy or if the war of words will translate into an even more dangerous military confrontation.
