South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has expressed concern that the ongoing armed conflicts between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could escalate into a full-blown regional war. Lamola called for intervention from the African Union, East Africa Community, and the Southern African Development Community to achieve a ceasefire and long-term solution. Rwandan President Paul Kagame refuted Lamola's claims, denying any war warnings and accusing South African officials of distorting and lying about their conversations.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has warned that continuing armed conflicts between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda could spiral into a full-scale regional war.International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has cautioned that the ongoing armed conflicts between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo could turn into a full-blown war.
“Indeed, we are concerned that danger exists or a possibility exists of a full-blown regional war. It is for that reason that all the institutions of the AU and SADC, including the East Africa community, have made all of them have a resolution of a tripartite engagement, of all these institutions,” he said.
“I held two conversations this week with President Ramaphosa on the situation in Eastern DRC, including earlier today. In his statement, Ramaphosa said the fighting was the result of an escalation by the rebel group M23 and Rwanda Defence Force militia engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC and attacking peacekeepers from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo .“The Rwanda Defence Force is an army, not a militia. SAMIDRC is not a"It was authorised by SADC as a belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operations to help the DRC Government fight against its own people,” he said.
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