Rwandan President Paul Kagame says Rwanda is prepared for a confrontation with South Africa if necessary.
This follows South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s claim that M23 rebels and Rwanda’s defence force were responsible for the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Fellow South Africans,
Following the recent intensification of fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa has lost 13 brave soldiers who were dedicated to their mission and committed to peace. The fighting is the result of an escalation by the rebel…
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 29, 2025
Kagame says Ramaphosa had not warned Rwanda about its military activities in the DRC but instead requested logistical support while acknowledging South Africa’s efforts for peace.
Kagame asserted that South Africa is not in a position to act as a peacemaker or mediator and warned that if South Africa seeks confrontation, Rwanda will respond accordingly.
Kagame clarified details of his recent conversations with Ramaphosa, stating, “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. 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.”
Rwandan President @PaulKagame responding to what South African officials said yesterday on the situation in the East DRC. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/KX1VB5Vfqs
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) January 30, 2025
President of Rwanda @PaulKagame responding to the statement issued by South Africa. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/7GSlAA6FrU
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) January 30, 2025
In a statement on X Kagame provided the following:
- The Rwanda Defence Force is an army, not a militia.
- SAMIDRC (South African Mission in the DRC) is not a peacekeeping force and has no place in this situation. It was authorized by SADC as a belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operations alongside genocidal armed groups like FDLR, which target Rwanda.
- SAMIDRC displaced the East African Community Regional Force, a true peacekeeping force, contributing to the failure of negotiation processes.
- Ramaphosa never issued a “warning” but requested support for basic necessities like electricity, food, and water for South African forces.
- Ramaphosa confirmed to Kagame that M23 did not kill the South African soldiers; FARDC (DRC armed forces) did.
- If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will respond accordingly.
- Kagame’s remarks underscore rising tensions between the two nations over the conflict in the DRC and the role of external forces in the region.
I held two conversations this week with President Ramaphosa on the situation in Eastern DRC, including earlier today. What has been said about these conversations in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate… https://t.co/i78aqtVjpr
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) January 29, 2025
VIDEO | Rwanda is ready for confrontation with SA if necessary: Kagame
