Ramaphosa says won’t be drawn into spat with Kagame

He was commenting on a statement by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who accused him of lying about the conflict in the eastern DRC and South Africa's involvement.

Ramaphosa has previously blamed the fighting that killed 14 South African soldiers on the M23 rebel group and Rwanda Defence Force militia. 

The South Africans were part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) peacekeeping force, but also part of the Southern African Development Community's Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC).  

Kagame dismissed the claims on X, accusing Ramaphosa and South African officials of distorting facts, making deliberate attacks, and even lying.  

The Rwandan leader also revealed that Ramaphosa had asked him for help in providing South African troops with food, electricity, and water.

The president addressed the media during his Presidential Golf Challenge in Cape Town on Friday morning, a day after his State of the Nation Address, and said the issue would be discussed behind closed doors.

"As a head of state, I don’t engage in public arguments with others. Important matters are discussed behind closed doors. I won’t be drawn into the mud," he said.

He also responded to a comment by US President Donald Trump in which he claimed that “bad things are happening in South Africa”

Ramaphosa says an envoy will be sent to various countries, particularly to explain the country’s mandate during its G20 presidency.

"The US is the world’s biggest economy and a key trading partner. We will engage with them formally and properly. I’m sending a delegation across Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East to explain our position, especially our G20 objectives. 

“We want this to be an African G20 that addresses issues affecting the Global South and humanity as a whole," he added.

ALSO READ