by Admin
Jan 30, 2025
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has strongly dismissed allegations by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that Rwanda’s Defence Forces (RDF) were responsible for the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Ramaphosa claimed that the RDF and the M23 rebel group, which he referred to as a “militia,” attacked Congolese armed forces and peacekeepers in eastern DRC, resulting in fatalities.
“South Africa’s military presence in eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state,” Ramaphosa said, emphasizing that the territorial integrity of the DRC must be upheld in line with the United Nations Charter.
The ongoing conflict in DRC has led to significant casualties and displacement, particularly after M23 rebels, believed to be backed by Rwanda, seized control of the strategic city of Goma. The group has, however, accused the Congolese government of failing to honor past peace agreements.
Responding to Ramaphosa’s statement, Kagame firmly rejected the accusations, calling them distortions and outright falsehoods.
“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 on X.
He further dismissed claims that Ramaphosa had issued any kind of warning to Rwanda, sarcastically suggesting that if such a warning existed, it must have been delivered in a language he did not understand.
While asserting Rwanda’s stance, Kagame stated that South Africa is welcome to contribute to peace efforts in the region but argued that it is not in a position to assume the role of a mediator or peacemaker.