‪‘If South Africa Prefers Confrontation, Rwanda Will Deal With The Matter In That Context Any Day’: Kagame Issues Stern Warning To Ramaphosa Amid Congo Crisis‬

In a stern rebuke that could escalate into a regional crisis, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has sharply warned South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that any preference for confrontation over diplomacy in the ongoing turmoil in Eastern Congo will be met with decisive action.

The rare statement, made via a public post on X (formerly Twitter), underscores a dramatic escalation in the already tense relations between Kigali and Pretoria.

Following confidential conversations held virtually by the two Heads of State on two occasions, Ramaphosa and other South African officials made statements which Kagame said contained a lot of distortion, deliberate attacks, and even lies.

The duo held talks following the fall of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province of DR Congo, to the M23 rebel group, a Congolese outfit.

“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 said.

At the core of the dispute is the role of various military forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kagame firmly rejected Ramaphosa’s characterization of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) as a militia, stating, “The Rwanda Defence Force is an army, not a militia.” This was in response to Ramaphosa’s claim that the fighting in eastern DRC “is the result of an escalation by the rebel group M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militia engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and attacking peacekeepers from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).”

Kagame clarified that SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force but rather a belligerent force with no legitimate role in the situation. He argued that SAMIDRC was authorized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to engage in offensive combat operations, aiding the Congolese government in fighting its own people. He further accused SAMIDRC of collaborating with genocidal armed groups like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which Rwanda views as a direct threat to its security. Kagame warned that these actions not only destabilize the region but also threaten to bring the war to Rwanda itself.

“Rwanda will never fail to protect its sovereignty and people,” Kagame emphasized, underscoring the nation’s commitment to security and peace.

Kagame also criticized the South African-led SADC mission in the DRC, labeling it not as a peacekeeping force but as a “belligerent force.” He accused SAMIDRC of aligning with the DRC government and collaborating with the FDLR, a group Rwanda considers a direct threat to its national security. According to Kagame, SAMIDRC’s intervention has not only failed to bring peace but has exacerbated the conflict by undermining the previous efforts of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF).

“SAMIDRC displaced a true peacekeeping force, the East African Community Regional Force, and this contributed to the failure of the negotiation processes,” Kagame said.

Rwandan army match during a national public ceremony.

In a revealing twist, Kagame disclosed details of private conversations with Ramaphosa, asserting that the South African president had privately acknowledged that the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC)—not the M23 rebels—were responsible for the deaths of South African troops. This contradicts Ramaphosa’s public claims that the M23 was to blame.

During intense fighting earlier this week, South Africa lost 13 soldiers who were fighting alongside Congolese government forces (FARDC), European mercenaries, and a coalition of other groups, including the FDLR—a militia formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

“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 stated.

This public spat signals a significant diplomatic standoff, with Kagame’s comments being interpreted by some as an informal declaration of war. The tone of his message raises concerns that the situation could escalate beyond harsh words, potentially pushing both nations toward military engagement if diplomatic efforts continue to falter.

The backdrop of this confrontation includes historical tensions, notably the 2014 assassination of Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief, on South African soil. This incident has long strained relations between the two countries.

In recent weeks, the M23 rebel group has captured the towns of Minova in South Kivu and Masisi in North Kivu, advancing toward the city of Goma. The rebels are demanding direct peace talks with the Congolese government, which has ruled out any possibility of negotiations, labeling the M23 a terrorist movement.

Regional initiatives to end the conflict politically have failed, with the Congolese government showing little political will and instead pursuing a military solution.

EAC calls for ceasefire

The East African Heads of State under the chairmanship of President William Ruto have called for a cessation of hostilities and protection of diplomatic missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The call followed a virtual meeting convened by President Ruto, over the conflict on Wednesday.

President William Ruto chairs a virtual Extra-Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State on DRC/PCS

The leaders urged the conflicting parties to facilitate access to humanitarian support for the affected people.

“The summit also expressed concern about the expanding crisis manifesting in attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies and staff based in Kinshasa. Accordingly, the summit urged the government of DRC to protect diplomatic missions, lives and property,” a communique from the summit reads in part.

“All parties to the conflict in Eastern DRC to cease hostilities and observe immediate and unconditional ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi did not attend the summit.

The EAC heads of state further noted that President Ruto will engage the chairperson of the South African Development Community (SADC) for a joint summit to discuss the way forward.

This is a result of their forces being involved in efforts to stabilise the DRC.

The leaders further urged President Felix Tshisekedi to engage the M23 and all other armed groups, as well as all other critical stakeholders to arrive at a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In recent weeks, the M23 captured the towns of Minova, in South Kivu, and Masisi, in North Kivu, ahead of taking the city of Goma on Sunday night.

The rebels demand direct peace talks with the Congolese government, which has ruled out any possibility of talks with the rebels, accusing them of being a terrorist movement.

Regional initiatives have failed to end the war politically, with the Congolese government declining political will and pursuing a military solution.

As the international community watches closely, the possibility of a broader conflict looms large, threatening the stability of the Central African region. The urgency to mediate and de-escalate this burgeoning crisis is palpable, with both leaders needing to navigate this diplomatic minefield carefully to avoid an all-out confrontation.

The implications of this exchange could reshape regional alliances, peacekeeping strategies, and the geopolitical landscape of Central Africa, highlighting the critical need for swift and effective diplomatic intervention.