Tensions have escalated between Pretoria and Kigali after Rwandan President Paul Kagame lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa, for allegedly distorting facts about the situation the Eastern DRC.

Responding to Ramaphosa’s statement on X, Kagame lashed out, tweeting that comments following the deaths of South African soldiers in the DRC, are “deliberate attacks” and “even lies”.

Ramaphosa wrote that the fighting in the DRC is the result of an escalation by the rebel group M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militia, accusing them of attacking peacekeepers from the SADC Mission.

Ramaphosa asserted that South Africa’s military presence is not an act of war but a commitment to regional peace under SADC and UN mandates.

He condemned external interference, welcomed the UN Security Council’s call for an end to hostilities, and reaffirmed respect for the DRC’s sovereignty. He urged all parties, including Rwanda, to embrace diplomatic resolutions such as the Nairobi and Luanda Processes to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

However, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has strongly rejected Ramaphosa’s characterizations, accusing South African officials of distorting private discussions between the two leaders.

Kagame angrily replied that the Rwanda Defence Force is an official army, not a militia.

He also stated the SADC Mission (SAMIDRC) has no place in the DRC, seemingly warning Ramaphosa that if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will not hesitate to deal with the matter.

Kagame criticized SAMIDRC as a combat force rather than a peacekeeping mission. He further claimed SAMIDRC’s presence displaced the East African Community Regional Force, undermining negotiations.

Kagame further alleged that Ramaphosa confirmed to him in private that FARDC, not M23, was responsible for the deaths of the South African soldiers.

He dismissed any suggestion of a warning from Ramaphosa and instead stated that the South African leader had requested assistance in securing basic supplies for his troops.

Kagame warned that while Rwanda is open to peaceful solutions, it is prepared to confront South Africa if necessary.

An escalating war of words could deep tensions between the two nations as South Africa navigates its role in the volatile eastern DRC conflict.

WATCH: Rwandan President Paul Kagame hits back at President Cyril Ramaphosa