NAIROBI, Kenya— The already volatile situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) just got more complicated—this time, at the diplomatic level.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are locked in a war of words over the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, exposing deeper rifts in regional politics.
It all started when Ramaphosa took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to mourn the loss of 13 South African soldiers who died while serving in a U.N. peacekeeping mission in the DRC.
Fellow South Africans, Following the recent intensification of fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa has lost 13 brave soldiers who were dedicated to their mission and committed to peace. The fighting is the result of an escalation by the rebel…
In his post, he called for all involved parties to lay down arms, emphasizing the need to respect Congo’s territorial integrity in line with the United Nations Charter.
But Kagame wasn’t having it. Within hours, Kagame responded sharply on X, accusing Ramaphosa and South African officials of misrepresenting private discussions from an earlier diplomatic exchange.
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…
“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.
His frustration didn’t stop there. Kagame pointed out that Ramaphosa had initially blamed the Congolese army (FARDC) for the attack on South African troops, not the M23 rebels, who have been at the center of the conflict.
He also dismissed claims that Ramaphosa issued any formal warning to Rwanda, adding, “Unless it was delivered in his local language, which I do not understand.”
In an apparent jab, Kagame revealed that South Africa’s main request during their discussions was not about diplomacy or ceasefires but about ensuring its troops had access to electricity, food, and water—a request Rwanda agreed to communicate.
The Rwandan leader made it clear that Pretoria has no mandate to act as a peace broker, though he sarcastically welcomed any interest in the process.
Then came the warning shot. “If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day,” Kagame declared.
That statement underscores the growing divide between South Africa and Rwanda, two of the most influential players in the region.
Meanwhile, the situation in eastern DRC remains dire. The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have not only captured Goma but are also pushing further into North Kivu province, securing key territories rich in gold, tin, and coltan—minerals crucial to the global tech industry.
The group claims it exists to protect Congo’s ethnic Tutsi population, while Kinshasa insists it is nothing more than a Rwandan proxy force.
Despite numerous U.N. reports linking Kigali to M23, Kagame’s government continues to deny any involvement.
With the war on the ground raging and a diplomatic standoff unfolding between Pretoria and Kigali, tensions in central Africa are at a boiling point.
The question now is whether the African Union, the United Nations, or regional blocs like the EAC and SADC can intervene before the situation spirals even further out of control.
