Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has reaffirmed that he is committed to collaborating with other countries to find a lasting solution for the ongoing conflicts in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement on X on Thursday, Kagame revealed that he held a meeting with President João Lourenço of Angola, on the agenda to bring peace to Congo.
“Earlier today, I had a productive conversation with President João Lourenço and discussed the need for a long-term and sustainable solution to the ongoing situation in the DRC,” he said.
“We also reaffirmed our commitment to working with others on the continent to find a solution, while deepening our strong bilateral partnership going forward.”
His assurance came a day after he clashed with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa over Rwanda's alleged role in the conflict.
The clash began when Ramaphosa said a militia comprising the M23 rebel group and the RDF had attacked the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) – a peacekeeping unit – killing at least 13 South African soldiers.
Ramaphosa insisted that the presence of South Africa in DRC is not a declaration of war against any country but part of the contingent out to protect and bring peace to the thousands of people constantly threatened by conflict, under the United Nations.
In his response, Kagame expressed disappointment in the South African President’s remarks saying that what had been reported was not true.
“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 attacks, and even lies,” he said.
Kagame further clarified that the RDF is not a militia, and insisted that SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force as the South African President had said.
He said that SAMIDRC only replaced an actual peacekeeping mission, the East African Community Regional Force and that this is what led to the collapse of the ongoing negotiations.
“SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force, and it has no place in this situation. It was authorized by SADC as a belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operations to help the DRC government fight against its own people, working alongside genocidal armed groups like FDLR which target Rwanda, while also threatening to take the war to Rwanda itself,” Kagame said.
He said if South Africa wants to contribute to peaceful solutions, that is well and good, but it is in no position to take on the role of a peacemaker or mediator.
“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. And if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day,” Kagame said.
The M23 rebels in eastern DRC have already taken hold of the City of Goma, leaving thousands displaced and in fear.
