Meanwhile, tensions between South Africa and Rwanda have escalated over the deaths of the SANDF soldiers.

On Wednesday, IOL reported that Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga told journalists in Pretoria that President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a warning to Rwanda, stating that continued hostilities against the SANDF troops would be taken as a declaration of war.

SA lost 13 soldiers in the battle with the M23 rebels this month, while the United Nations reported that three Malawian soldiers who were part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) were also killed.

A Uruguayan soldier, part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), also died in the battle.

Rwanda has been widely accused of backing the M23 rebels, but Kigali consistently denies the reports.

On Thursday night, a spokesperson for the Rwandan government refuted claims that Ramaphosa had issued a warning to President Paul Kagane.

She clarified that during their phone call, Ramaphosa had stated that the Congolese forces, not Rwandan forces, had shot South African troops.

“He (Ramaphosa) also said that he gave a warning to the president (Kagame). That did not happen. There was no warning during the phone call. He also said the SAMIDRC was a peacekeeping force … that is also incorrect,” Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo spoke to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika from Kigali.

She argued that the SAMIDRC - which the SANDF is part of - is not a peacekeeping mission but an offensive force.

Makolo added that Rwanda’s military actions are driven by its proximity to the conflict and its efforts to protect against armed groups, including hostile militias from the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.

On Thursday morning, IOL reported that in an unprecedented escalation of tensions between South Africa and Rwanda, Kagame had responded to Ramaphosa publicly, with Kagame accusing his Pretoria counterpart of distorting facts.

However, what was chilling about Kagame’s 11pm reaction to Ramaphosa on X, was his last paragraph.

“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,” Kagame said.

“And if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”

In a lengthy message posted on X, Ramaphosa condemned the killing of the SANDF soldiers, calling them “brave” individuals who dedicated themselves to peace.

“The fighting is the result of an escalation by the rebel group M23 and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militia engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and attacking peacekeepers from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC),” said Ramaphosa.

Makolo emphasised that Rwanda remains in open talk with South Africa, stating that the two leaders had communicated twice in recent days.

“We are open to talking, we have always been,” she said.

“What is not good is to then go around and put out lies that contradict what was discussed and then confuse South African citizens and other Africans who deserve to know the truth of what is happening."

IOL Politics

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South African Air Force raises funds to support families of 13 SANDF troops killed in DRC