South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has urged Rwanda to halt its support for the M23 rebel group and withdraw its forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that the ongoing violence threatens regional stability.
Addressing the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) during its 1257th meeting on Tuesday, Lamola condemned the unauthorized presence of the Rwanda Defence Forces in eastern DRC, calling it a violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. His remarks come as the conflict intensifies, with deadly clashes in North Kivu province leading to the deaths of several peacekeepers, including 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers.
The violence has escalated in the wake of Kinshasa’s decision to withdraw its diplomats from Kigali, as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advance toward the strategic city of Goma, a mineral-rich hub in eastern DRC. The SANDF troops were deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), aimed at stabilizing the war-torn region.
Lamola described the deteriorating security situation as “utterly appalling and unacceptable,” denouncing both the M23’s activities and Rwanda’s alleged support for the group, citing multiple United Nations reports confirming Kigali’s involvement. He called for an immediate ceasefire, demanding that M23 rebels withdraw from occupied territories to prevent further loss of life.
In a bid to de-escalate tensions, Lamola urged the governments of DRC and Rwanda to revive diplomatic talks under the Luanda Peace Process, mediated by Angolan President João Lourenço. He stressed that military action alone would not resolve the conflict, advocating for a political dialogue to address the grievances of all parties involved.
As the AU’s principal decision-making body on conflict resolution, the PSC must intensify efforts to halt the violence and mitigate the worsening humanitarian crisis, Lamola asserted. He also appealed for greater financial and logistical support for SAMIDRC, urging the AU to allocate resources from the Crisis Reserve Fund and calling on the United Nations to reinforce its backing in line with Resolutions 2719 and 2717.
Reflecting on the sacrifices made by SANDF soldiers, Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to peacekeeping in the region. He stressed the urgency of Africa taking decisive action against those fueling conflicts, reiterating the continent’s goal to “Silence the Guns” and ensure long-term stability.
“Our troops continue to operate with resolve, courage, and discipline in pursuit of peace and stability in the region,” he said. “But urgent support from our partners, particularly this council, is essential.”
