‘Bring it on’ – Rwanda president responds to Ramaphosa
Rwandan President Paul Kagame says his country will be ready if South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa prefers confrontation as tension grows in DRC.
The comments come after President Ramaphosa’s claim that M23 rebels and Rwanda’s defence force were responsible for the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in Goma.
So far, 13 South African soldiers have been confirmed killed in the DRC. Three of them were killed in a mortar attack by M23 rebels on Monday.
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The attack happened near the airport in Goma in the Eastern DRC where the SANDF has set up a base.
But Kagame says there are lies in Ramaphosa’s statement. He says Ramaphosa had not warned Rwanda about its military activities in the DRC but instead requested logistical support while acknowledging South Africa’s efforts for peace.
He also asserted that South Africa is not in a position to act as a peacemaker or mediator and warned that if South Africa seeks confrontation, Rwanda will respond accordingly.

TENSIONS GROWING AS PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA AND PAUL KAGAME ADDRESS CONFRONTATION POSSIBILITIES
“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,” said Kagame on X.
“If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day,” he added.
“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.
“President Ramaphosa has never given a “warning” of any kind, unless it was delivered in his local language which I do not understand. He did ask for support to ensure the South African force has adequate electricity, food and water, which we shall help communicate.”