Presidents Kagame and Ramaphosa Pledge Support for Political Resolution in DRC
Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, recently met to reaffirm their commitment to finding a political solution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
President Ramaphosa’s visit to Rwanda, coinciding with the 30th commemorations of the Rwandan genocide, provided an opportunity for discussions on regional stability.
Expressing renewed determination, President Ramaphosa emphasized the need to address the longstanding challenges in the DRC, which has been marred by violence for over three decades.
South African troops, leading a Southern African Development Community (Sadc) force, are actively engaged in supporting the Congolese army against M23 rebels in North Kivu province.
However, this deployment has strained relations with Rwanda, which alleges collaboration between the Congolese army and rebels threatening its security, a claim refuted by the DRC.
Despite differing perspectives, Presidents Kagame and Ramaphosa conveyed optimism about their discussions, aiming to find collaborative approaches to resolve the complex situation.
President Kagame expressed satisfaction with the dialogue and emphasized the importance of working together towards a peaceful resolution.
UN experts and other observers have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, an allegation strongly denied by the Rwandan government.
Overall, the meeting between Presidents Kagame and Ramaphosa signals a commitment to regional cooperation and diplomatic efforts to address the challenges facing the DRC.
