Rwanda denounces Ramaphosa ‘lies’ on DRC conflict
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has refuted several statements made by his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa about his country’s involvement in the deadly conflict in the DR Congo.
Ramaphosa alleged that the fighting, which resulted in the deaths of 13 South African National Defence Force soldiers, was backed by the rebel group M23 and Rwanda Defence Force militia engaging the armed forces of the DRC (FARDC) and attacking peacekeepers from the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
Taking it to X, Kagame rubbished the claims and said conversations in the media by South African officials and Ramaphosa contained a lot of distortion, deliberate attacks, “and even lies”.
The Rwandan president revealed that Ramaphosa asked him for assistance in providing South African troops with adequate food, electricity, and water.
“If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day,” Kagame warned.
I held two conversations this week with President Ramaphosa on the situation in Eastern DRC, including earlier today. What has been said about these conversations in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate… https://t.co/i78aqtVjpr
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) January 29, 2025
The deaths of SANDF soldiers led to calls for the country to withdraw its troops from the conflict, with political parties and trade unions alleging that SANDF personnel are lacking sufficient ammunition and food.
The slain soldiers were serving in the region as part of the SAMIDRC and the United Nations peacekeeping deployment (MONUSCO), working to promote peace and stability.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Cabinet lekgotla in Pretoria on Wednesday, the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, rejected these claims, asserting that the leadership on the ground is more than capable.
"I can assure South Africans that the generals on the ground are highly skilled and experienced, and they are more than capable of leading. Leadership comes from all of us as part of a collective effort," she said.
READ MORE: Motshekga denies SANDF in DRC under-resourced
Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of waging the offensive to profit from the region's mineral wealth -- a claim backed by UN experts who say Kigali has thousands of troops in its neighbour and "de facto control" over the M23.
Rwanda has denied the accusations.
Kagame has never admitted military involvement, saying Rwanda's aim is to destroy a DRC-based armed group, the FDLR, created by former Hutu leaders who massacred Tutsis during the genocide.
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