Rwandan President Paul Kagame has openly dismissed the presence of South African troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), escalating tensions within the region.
Despite the rising hostilities, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairman and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has remained silent on the crisis.
In a statement on X, Kagame declared that the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) had no role in the conflict, arguing that the regional force was acting as a “belligerent” rather than a peacekeeping unit.
His comments follow the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in clashes with the M23 rebels, a group widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, as they seized key areas, including Goma.
“SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force, and it has no place in this situation,” Kagame posted. “It was authorised 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.”
Tensions Between Rwanda and South Africa Intensify
Kagame’s remarks come amid growing diplomatic strain between Kigali and Pretoria. Reports emerged that South Africa had warned further attacks on its troops would be seen as a declaration of war, but Kagame denied receiving such a warning. Instead, he responded with a firm statement:
“If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”
Despite these escalating tensions, Mnangagwa, as the current SADC chairman, has yet to issue a statement or take a clear stance on the matter. His silence raises questions about SADC’s role in managing regional conflicts, especially one directly affecting a key member state.
Geopolitical Ramifications for the Region
The conflict in eastern DRC has long been driven by deep-seated hostilities, with Rwanda accused of backing M23 rebels and South Africa supporting Kinshasa.
Kagame insists Rwanda’s military presence is solely to eliminate the Democratic Liberation Front of Rwanda (FDLR), a group linked to the 1994 genocide.
However, South Africa’s increasing military involvement through SAMIDRC is in direct opposition to Rwanda’s strategic objectives. With its troops now suffering casualties, Pretoria faces a difficult decision: whether to escalate its military engagement or push for a diplomatic resolution.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa’s failure to address the crisis raises concerns about SADC’s leadership and effectiveness in conflict mediation. His silence risks undermining the bloc’s credibility as tensions rise, threatening broader regional stability.