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Tensions Rise Between Rwanda and South Africa Over Role in DRC Conflict

October 3, 2023 – Kigali/Pretoria: A back-and-forth exchange has erupted between Rwandans and South Africans over the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The latest spat follows the deaths of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers deployed in the volatile eastern region of the DRC as part of peacekeeping efforts.

Rwandan Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo use the X account to issue a scathing critique of South Africa’s involvement in the DRC, accusing Pretoria of pursuing mining interests at the expense of lasting peace in the region.

In a direct response to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s widely circulated statement on social media, Makolo said, “South Africans deserve to know the truth. You are not supporting the people of DRC to achieve peace. You are sending your troops to fight President Tshisekedi’s war to kill his own people. And this kind of statement only makes the Congolese president more intransigent, while the suffering continues.”Makolo added, “Please tell your people the truth about the personal interests in mining that you have in the DRC – these are the interests for which, sadly, SANDF soldiers are dying.”

The pointed allegation has magnified existing tensions between the two nations, as they take markedly divergent stances on the causes of and potential solutions to the ongoing DRC crisis.

 President Ramaphosa Defends South Africa’s Role

 In an official statement posted to Twitter and supplemented by a lengthy open letter to the nation, Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa’s engagement in the DRC and other African conflicts stems from a longstanding policy of promoting peace and solidarity across the continent

“Violence and conflict in Africa is the business of all Africans,” Ramaphosa said. “The humanitarian, economic, and social effects of these conflicts are felt across borders and regions. Instability in any part of the continent affects the prospects for growth and development across the continent.”

He paid tribute to the slain SANDF soldiers, calling them “heroes who gave their lives in defense of the defenseless.”

Ramaphosa underscored that South Africa’s involvement in the region is tied to the mandates of both the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).

He dismissed any allegations of ulterior motives, stating that South Africa’s foreign policy remains rooted in principles of peacebuilding and fostering stability

Rwandan-South African Relations Under Strain

The diplomatic row highlights deeper geopolitical fault lines in central and southern Africa, where regional powers have been at odds over how to address the prolonged DRC conflict.

Accusations by the DRC government that Rwanda supports the M23 rebel group have further complicated the regional situation. However, Rwanda has, on several occasions, defended its protective measures while also alleging that the Kinshasa government is collaborating with the FDLR, a genocidal group, and other militias in plans to invade Rwanda.

South Africa, as part of a multilateral coalition, has sought to position itself as a neutral peacekeeper in the region.

However, Makolo’s sharp criticism has cast doubt on Pretoria’s motives, reviving longstanding questions about external powers’ vested interests in the DRC’s vast mineral wealth.

The resource-rich nation—home to deposits of cobalt, gold, diamonds, and coltan—has long been a focal point of international and regional competition.

Rwanda’s statements have resonated with some critics in South Africa who have questioned the human and financial cost of Pretoria’s continued involvement in overseas peacekeeping efforts.

“Why are our soldiers dying in the DRC while our own country grapples with security problems at home?” one opposition figure asked.

Calls for Ceasefire and Diplomacy

The International Community have publicly called for an end to hostilities in the eastern DRC, but their paths toward achieving peace appear increasingly divergent.

Ramaphosa cited the importance of the Luanda Process—an initiative led by Angola aimed at reconciling warring parties in the DRC—as a key pathway.

He also called for a ceasefire and greater respect for DRC’s sovereignty, singling out the M23 rebel group for its territorial expansion.

Makolo, however, warned that “statements like these” empower President Tshisekedi to continue his campaign of using external troops to suppress dissent among his own people, while the region pays the price.

https://twitter.com/WilliamsRuto/status/1886442802323902906

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