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Lindiwe Zulu Urges Preservation of South Africa-Rwanda Relations Amid Rising Tensions

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Picture: Jairus Mmutle

Veteran diplomat and former Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, has called for the preservation of bilateral relations between South Africa and Rwanda to prevent further escalation of tensions. This statement follows a highly publicized exchange between Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, which saw an unprecedented public response from Kagame.

The diplomatic discord between the two nations escalated last week when President Kagame publicly responded to Ramaphosa’s message on social media, accusing the South African leader of distorting facts. Kagame’s response, posted at 11 pm on X, included a striking warning: “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. And if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”

This reaction came after Ramaphosa shared a heartfelt message mourning the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who had been on a peacekeeping mission.

Lindiwe Zulu emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue between South Africa and Rwanda, stating that escalating tensions would not help resolve the conflict in the DRC. “We cannot afford further tension, especially when we look at the broader responsibilities of SADC, the DRC government, and Rwanda,” she said. “Any hostile rhetoric will not help the situation. We need the two presidents and their foreign ministers to engage directly to find a peaceful resolution.”

Zulu also highlighted the devastating impact of ongoing violence in the eastern DRC, where women and children have suffered for years due to the ongoing conflict. “A war of words will not help the people, especially the vulnerable communities in the DRC,” she stressed.

On Sunday, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) released the names of the 14 soldiers who tragically lost their lives in combat in the DRC. The fallen soldiers were part of a South African peacekeeping contingent deployed as part of both the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) and The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

The names of the fallen soldiers are:

  • Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola
  • Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi
  • Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe
  • Corporal Matome Justice Malesa
  • Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani
  • Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo
  • Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo
  • Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi
  • Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe
  • Rifleman Derrick Maluleke
  • Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele
  • Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi
  • Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe
  • Private Peter Jacobus Strydom

Zulu has refuted social media claims alleging that the bodies of the deceased soldiers are being held up in the DRC due to a blockade by M23 rebels. According to Zulu, there is no truth to these reports, which have caused further distress amid the tense situation.

As the diplomatic situation between South Africa and Rwanda continues to evolve, Zulu’s call for calm and continued dialogue remains crucial to ensuring a peaceful resolution. The focus should remain on supporting the people of the DRC and safeguarding peace efforts in the region, she concluded.