War of words between Rwanda’s Kagame qnd South Africa’s Ramaphosa escalates

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has issued a serious warning to South Africa, stating that his country is ready for conflict “any day.” This statement comes in response to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who discussed the rising tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the deaths of 13 South African soldiers. Kagame accused South Africa of twisting the facts, spreading false information, and going beyond its role as a mediator in the ongoing crisis. The exchange between the two leaders has raised concerns about the potential for increased violence in an already troubled region.

Kagame took to Twitter to express his frustrations, calling out what he viewed as misleading claims made by Ramaphosa and other South African officials. “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,” Kagame wrote. He defended the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), emphasizing that it is a legitimate military force and not just a militia. Kagame criticized the South African-led SAMIDRC force, accusing it of conducting offensive operations alongside groups that Rwanda sees as threats.

“SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force,” Kagame stated. “It was authorised by SADC as a belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operations to help the DRC Government fight against its own people.” He went on to say that the presence of SAMIDRC had pushed out the East African Community Regional Force, which he claimed was a genuine peacekeeping mission. Kagame dismissed Ramaphosa’s supposed warnings, adding, “President Ramaphosa has never given a ‘warning’ of any kind, unless it was delivered in his local language which I do not understand.”

In contrast, President Ramaphosa paid his respects to the fallen soldiers, attributing their deaths to the M23 rebel group and the RDF. He tweeted, “We bow our heads in honour of their heroic and gallant fight for peace.” Ramaphosa defended South Africa’s mission in the DRC, insisting that their military presence was not a declaration of war. “South Africa’s military presence in the eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state,” he stated. He encouraged South Africans to support the troops who are part of both SADC and United Nations efforts to maintain peace in the area.

Kagame’s strong words have heightened the tension between Rwanda and South Africa. He questioned South Africa’s ability to mediate in the conflict, saying, “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.” He warned, “If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”

This escalating situation has left many in South Africa worried about the safety of their military personnel and what this might mean for peace in the region. Despite the tensions, Ramaphosa remains focused on diplomatic solutions, calling for an end to hostilities and a return to peace talks. “We must silence the guns on our continent for the attainment of inclusive development and prosperity,” he said. As this war of words continues, the situation remains tense, leaving many to wonder about the future of relations between these two nations and the stability of the region.