KIGALI/PRETORIA—Rwanda and South Africa traded harsh words Thursday after Rwanda's President Paul Kagame warned that he stands ready to confront South Africa if necessary.
"If South Africa wants peace, that's good. But they can't play peacemaker here," Kagame said on social media platform X. He added Rwanda would match any confrontation from South Africa.
The clash began after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa blamed Rwandan forces and M23 rebels for attacks that killed 13 South African peacekeepers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
"These brave soldiers died serving peace," Ramaphosa said. He accused Rwanda's army and M23 of attacking both Congolese forces and peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission.
Kagame fired back, calling Ramaphosa's account false. He said Rwanda's military acts as a defense force, not a militia. The Rwandan leader argued SADC troops serve as combat forces backing Congo's army, not neutral peacekeepers.
South Africa has sent more troops to Congo as tensions rise. Ramaphosa insisted these forces aim to restore stability, not start wars.
"Our presence follows UN and SADC peace efforts," Ramaphosa said. He urged Rwanda to leave Congolese territory, as the UN Security Council had demanded.
Kagame claimed peace talks failed when SADC forces replaced East African peacekeepers. He said Ramaphosa had asked Rwanda for supplies like food and power for South African troops.
The Rwandan president also stated that Ramaphosa privately admitted Congolese forces, not M23 rebels, caused the South African soldiers' deaths.
This public dispute between two major African powers raises fears of wider conflict in Central Africa's troubled Great Lakes region.
"If South Africa wants peace, that's good. But they can't play peacemaker here," Kagame said on social media platform X. He added Rwanda would match any confrontation from South Africa.
The clash began after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa blamed Rwandan forces and M23 rebels for attacks that killed 13 South African peacekeepers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
"These brave soldiers died serving peace," Ramaphosa said. He accused Rwanda's army and M23 of attacking both Congolese forces and peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission.
Kagame fired back, calling Ramaphosa's account false. He said Rwanda's military acts as a defense force, not a militia. The Rwandan leader argued SADC troops serve as combat forces backing Congo's army, not neutral peacekeepers.
South Africa has sent more troops to Congo as tensions rise. Ramaphosa insisted these forces aim to restore stability, not start wars.
"Our presence follows UN and SADC peace efforts," Ramaphosa said. He urged Rwanda to leave Congolese territory, as the UN Security Council had demanded.
Kagame claimed peace talks failed when SADC forces replaced East African peacekeepers. He said Ramaphosa had asked Rwanda for supplies like food and power for South African troops.
The Rwandan president also stated that Ramaphosa privately admitted Congolese forces, not M23 rebels, caused the South African soldiers' deaths.
This public dispute between two major African powers raises fears of wider conflict in Central Africa's troubled Great Lakes region.
