Rwandan President Paul Kagame has strongly refuted statements made by South African officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, regarding recent diplomatic discussions on the security crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a firm and detailed response, Kagame accused South Africa of distorting facts, launching deliberate attacks, and even spreading outright lies about Rwanda’s role in the ongoing conflict.
Kagame revealed that he held two conversations with Ramaphosa this week, including one earlier today, focusing on the escalating violence in eastern DRC. However, he expressed deep concern over how these discussions were misrepresented in public statements by South African officials. According to Kagame, the way words were altered in official statements reflects broader issues in the management of these high-stakes regional matters.
He pointed out several critical inaccuracies and made key clarifications to set the record straight:
- The Rwanda Defence Force is an Army, Not a Militia
Kagame dismissed any characterization of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) as a militia, making it clear that RDF is a professional and structured military force, unlike the various armed groups operating in eastern DRC. - SAMIDRC is Not a Peacekeeping Force
Kagame criticized the SADC Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC), describing it as a belligerent force rather than a peacekeeping mission. He noted that SAMIDRC was deployed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to fight against Congolese rebel groups on behalf of the DRC government, despite the fact that these rebels are Congolese citizens fighting for their own grievances. He further accused SAMIDRC of collaborating with genocidal armed groups like the FDLR, which has a history of targeting Rwanda and threatening its national security. - SAMIDRC’s Deployment Undermined Peace Efforts
Kagame argued that the presence of SAMIDRC led to the failure of peace negotiations. He explained that the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), which was previously deployed in eastern DRC, had been a genuine peacekeeping force. However, EACRF was displaced by the arrival of SAMIDRC, which took a more aggressive stance, worsening tensions rather than resolving them. - No “Warning” from Ramaphosa, Only Requests for Basic Supplies
Kagame directly contradicted reports that Ramaphosa had issued any form of warning to Rwanda. Instead, he stated that Ramaphosa had merely requested Rwanda’s help in ensuring that South African troops deployed in DRC have access to basic necessities like electricity, food, and water—a request that Kagame said Rwanda would pass along. - M23 Did Not Kill South African Soldiers—FARDC Did
In a shocking revelation, Kagame stated that Ramaphosa himself had confirmed that M23 rebels were not responsible for the recent deaths of South African soldiers in DRC. Instead, Kagame claims that these soldiers were killed by the Congolese army (FARDC)—a fact that South African officials have not openly admitted. - South Africa is Not a Peacemaker but a Partisan Actor
Kagame made it clear that South Africa cannot position itself as a neutral mediator in the DRC crisis. Instead, he accused South Africa of choosing confrontation over peace and warned that if South Africa continues down this path, Rwanda is fully prepared to respond in kind.
These statements mark a serious escalation in the already fragile relations between Rwanda and South Africa. Kagame’s strong stance suggests that he is ready to defend Rwanda’s national interests at any cost, even if that means direct confrontation with South Africa.
The Eastern DRC conflict has already drawn in multiple regional actors, with Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi all being implicated in various ways. South Africa’s involvement through SAMIDRC has only heightened tensions. If diplomatic efforts fail and hostilities continue to escalate, the region could be heading toward a major international military confrontation between some of Africa’s most powerful nations.
For now, Kagame’s message is clear: Rwanda will not be intimidated, and if South Africa continues its confrontational approach, Kigali is fully prepared to respond in kind.
