South Africa and Rwanda’s foreign ministers have engaged in talks aimed at de-escalating tensions following allegations by Rwanda’s president accusing South African leaders of misrepresenting discussions on the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a phone conversation on Thursday, South African Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe reaffirmed their commitment to advancing dialogue concerning the crisis in the DRC. The ministers agreed to prioritize the implementation of peace initiatives, including adherence to the spirit of the existing ceasefire agreements.
“We are committed to advancing dialogue on the situation in the eastern DRC and to upholding the ceasefire agreement,” Lamola stated on X, emphasizing the importance of regional peace efforts.
The diplomatic engagement comes after a series of sharp remarks from Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who accused South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of spreading “deliberate attacks” and “lies” about the substance of previous talks regarding the conflict. Kagame’s criticisms have sparked heightened tensions between the two countries, particularly in light of the broader geopolitical context surrounding the DRC crisis.
Kagame also expressed concern over the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC, which he referred to as a “belligerent force” instead of a neutral peacekeeping force. He further warned that Rwanda would confront any approach from South Africa that prioritizes confrontation over dialogue, signaling the potential for further diplomatic fallout.
The escalation of violence in the DRC has fueled the tensions, as the M23 rebel group intensified its offensive last week in Goma, a strategically important city near the Rwandan border. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of providing military support to the rebels, a claim that Rwanda has firmly denied. Despite this, the international community, including regional leaders, has called for an immediate ceasefire as the situation continues to deteriorate, with dozens killed and hundreds more injured.
Reports from Goma indicate that the M23 rebels, led by former Congolese electoral commission chief Corneille Nangaa, have taken control of the city, further escalating the humanitarian crisis. While there are conflicting reports on the exact death toll, sources suggest that nearly 100 people may have been killed in the past week.
Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the fighting, many of whom have fled across the border to Rwanda. Among those fleeing are staff members of international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Bank, further highlighting the scale of the crisis.
In addition to the growing refugee crisis, Rwanda has reported that nine of its citizens were killed by cross-border fire from Goma, further heightening tensions. At least 17 peacekeepers have also been killed in the region since the violence escalated.
As both South Africa and Rwanda continue to navigate these challenging diplomatic waters, the situation in the DRC remains volatile, with both nations facing the urgent need for renewed dialogue to prevent further conflict and loss of life.