By Simon Nare
As fear grows of a regional war exploding with the escalation of Democratic Republic of Congo conflict, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has ordered the withdrawal of troops from the country’s borders to gather in the capital in Kigali in preparation for any possible threats.
The immediate withdrawal of troops from the country’s borders comes a day after the DRC’s president Felix Tshisekedi refused to engage in negotiations with Rwanda’s Kagame amid the escalating violence in the east of the country, where the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has seized control of key territories, including large parts of Goma.
An irate Kagame on Wednesday lashed out at South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and senior government officials, calling them liars and distorting the conversations he had with Ramaphosa after the killing of 13 SA soldiers in a gun battle with M23.
Kagame went as far saying Ramaphosa and his officials launched deliberate attacks on his country and dared South Africa to a war.
“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,” said Kagame.
Kagame was reacting to Ramaphosa’s statement where accused Rwanda Defense Force(RDF), which he described as a militia for backing the M23 group which reportedly attacked the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) camps in the DRC eastern town of Goma.
On Thursday, Kagame issued an urgent directive that all troops along the borders of the country to be redeployed to towns.
“Effective immediately, all units must withdraw and regroup in the capital to secure government institutions and critical infrastructure. This decision has been made to ensure the protection of the nation’s leadership, key administrative functions and vital state assets,” the directive, signed by Kagame, read.
“Your swift and coordinated action is crucial in maintaining the integrity of our government and upholding national security during the critical time.”
Kagame also instructed commanders to organize an orderly withdrawal and ensure that all personnel and equipment were accounted for and transported securely and further instructions about operations within the capital will be communicated upon their arrival.
It is not clear what informed Kagame to make such a move after his bold and daring statement directed at Ramaphosa and South Africa.
However, there are fears Rwanda could face possible attack in the coming days following accusations of aggression towards neighbouring states.
Rwanda is further accused of harboring terrorists and alleged involvement in war crimes and suggestions from some quarters is that this makes it a legitimate target for intervention or invasion in terms of UN conventions and international laws.
The withdrawal of troops by Kagame comes as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is holding an extraordinary summit of heads of state and government in the Zimbabwean capital Harare on the security situation in the eastern DRC.
The extraordinary meeting of heads of state and government, which will be chaired by SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, will be preceded by the meetings of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials and the SADC Council of Ministers.
The extraordinary summit comes after recent attacks on United Nations and SADC peacekeeping missions by armed groups in the eastern DRC.
In November 2024, the SADC extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in the DRC by one year amid continued fighting between the Congolese army and armed groups, which has resulted in over 400,000 people being displaced since the start of 2025
Latest reports suggest the SADC is leaning towards withdrawing their troops from the conflict and push for a dialogue.
By Thursday night, the SADC meeting was still underway with South Africa Minister of Defense Angie Motshekga and International relations Minister Ronald Lamola in attendance.
The two ministers were excused from the Cabinet lekgotla, which is currently underway in Pretoria to attend the SADC meeting in Harare.
The Daily Maverick has reported that SADC leaders will decide on Friday to withdraw their military force from the conflict after a bloody battle with the rebels but wants the withdrawal in a manner that will not damage the credibility or jeopardize any future military interventions.
The Eastern African Heads of State in a virtual meeting held on Wednesday called to all parties involved in the conflict to end hostilities and observe immediate and unconditional cease to allow for humanitarian aid.
The meeting, which Kagame was part of, urged DRC government to engage all parties involved including the M23 in a dialogue.
The meeting further resolved to engage the SADC on the matter and will communicate with the current chairman to secure an urgent date for such a meeting.
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