Rwanda-South Africa Tensions Rise Over Congo Conflict.
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame warned South Africa on Thursday against military intervention in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
"If South Africa wants to contribute to peaceful solutions, that is well and good," Kagame posted on X. "But if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day."
The sharp exchange came after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Rwanda and M23 rebels of attacking South African peacekeepers in Congo. Thirteen South African soldiers died in recent clashes.
"The fighting is the result of an escalation by M23 and Rwanda Defence Force militia engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC and attacking our peacekeepers," Ramaphosa said.
Kagame rejected these claims. He stated Rwanda's military acts as a defense force, not a militia. He argued that South African troops serve as combat forces rather than peacekeepers in the region.
The Rwandan leader claimed Ramaphosa had privately admitted Congolese forces caused the South African casualties, not M23 rebels. He added that South Africa had asked Rwanda for support with electricity, food, and water for its troops.
Ramaphosa addressed his nation to defend South Africa's military presence. "Our deployment does not represent a declaration of war against any country," he said. He urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces from Congo following recent UN Security Council demands.
The public clash between the leaders marks a critical point in the eastern Congo crisis. South Africa continues to send reinforcements as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC).
Kagame blamed the breakdown of peace talks on SAMIDRC's arrival. This force replaced an East African Community mission that had promoted dialogue between the warring parties.
The diplomatic tension threatens to destabilize central Africa further as both nations strengthen their military positions in the mineral-rich eastern Congo region.
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame warned South Africa on Thursday against military intervention in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
"If South Africa wants to contribute to peaceful solutions, that is well and good," Kagame posted on X. "But if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day."
The sharp exchange came after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Rwanda and M23 rebels of attacking South African peacekeepers in Congo. Thirteen South African soldiers died in recent clashes.
"The fighting is the result of an escalation by M23 and Rwanda Defence Force militia engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC and attacking our peacekeepers," Ramaphosa said.
Kagame rejected these claims. He stated Rwanda's military acts as a defense force, not a militia. He argued that South African troops serve as combat forces rather than peacekeepers in the region.
The Rwandan leader claimed Ramaphosa had privately admitted Congolese forces caused the South African casualties, not M23 rebels. He added that South Africa had asked Rwanda for support with electricity, food, and water for its troops.
Ramaphosa addressed his nation to defend South Africa's military presence. "Our deployment does not represent a declaration of war against any country," he said. He urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces from Congo following recent UN Security Council demands.
The public clash between the leaders marks a critical point in the eastern Congo crisis. South Africa continues to send reinforcements as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC).
Kagame blamed the breakdown of peace talks on SAMIDRC's arrival. This force replaced an East African Community mission that had promoted dialogue between the warring parties.
The diplomatic tension threatens to destabilize central Africa further as both nations strengthen their military positions in the mineral-rich eastern Congo region.
