Kagame Slams Ramaphosa for Allegedly Distorting Facts and Targeting Rwanda

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has sharply criticized South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of misrepresenting facts and deliberately targeting Rwanda in relation to the ongoing conflict in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The remarks come after South Africa strongly condemned the M23 rebel offensive in eastern DRC, which Pretoria claims has the backing of Kigali.

In a fiery response, Kagame rejected allegations that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) operates as a militia in the DRC, calling such claims unfounded and politically motivated. He also took issue with South Africa’s military involvement in the SADC Mission in the DRC, questioning the role of Pretoria’s forces in the conflict and highlighting concerns over the influence of external actors in the region.

Kagame’s comments reflect ongoing tensions between Rwanda and South Africa, which have been exacerbated by the M23 rebel group’s actions and the broader regional instability. Kigali has repeatedly denied supporting the rebels, while Pretoria has been vocal in accusing Rwanda of being complicit in the unrest, further complicating diplomatic relations between the two African nations.

The heated exchange underscores the complexities of the DRC conflict, with Rwanda and South Africa on opposing sides of the issue. As regional powers, both countries play significant roles in shaping the outcome of peace efforts, and their continued discord could have lasting implications for regional stability in Central Africa.