In a significant shift in African politics, leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have decisively moved to isolate Rwandan President Paul Kagame following recent deadly attacks that have further exacerbated instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

Kagame, whose government has long been accused of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC, now faces increasing isolation from SADC, which has held his forces responsible for the tragic deaths of 14 South African peacekeepers and several others from Tanzania and Malawi.

Rwanda is a member of the East African Community (EAC), while its neighbour, the DRC, which is at the centre of the conflict, is a member of SADC.  

After their Extraordinary Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, on January 31, the SADC heads of state and government released a strongly worded statement condemning Rwanda. The block also directly blamed Kagame’s forces for the deaths of the soldiers two weeks ago. 

The summit, chaired by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his capacity as SADC chairman, was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Tanzanian President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, among others. 

It came amid escalating tensions between Pretoria and Kigali over various issues, including the DRC conflict.

In a new twist since the DRC conflict started two decades ago, SADC leaders directly confronted Kagame for supporting the M23 rebel group against its peacekeeping troops, known as the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).

“Summit received the latest reports on the unfolding security situation in the Eastern part of the DRC and noted with concern the recent attacks by the M23 armed group and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) on the Government Forces of DRC, the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), and the civilian population in various areas of North Kivu.”

“Summit expressed its deepest condolences to the Democratic Republic Congo, the Republics of Malawi and South Africa and, the United Republic of Tanzania for the deceased soldiers who lost their lives during the recent attacks in Sake, Eastern DRC, whilst serving under the SAMIDRC and wished those injured a speedy Recovery,” said SADC in a statement released after the summit.

The deaths of South African soldiers sparked a diplomatic fallout between Pretoria and Kigali and resulted in finger-pointing between Ramaphosa and Kagame. 

The Rwandan president accused Ramaphosa of lying and saying he was ready for war with South Africa if needed. Moreover, Kagame claimed South Africa had no mediation role in the DRC but could contribute to peace if wished.

However, in a show of support for South Africa, SADC leaders condemned the attacks on SAMIDRC troops and demanded the immediate restoration of water, power and means of supplying food. 

These were the same issues Ramaphosa raised with Kagame in a phone call after the deaths of his soldiers. SADC leaders said the latest attacks violated the ceasefire brokered last year.  

“Summit expressed concern that the recent attacks continued to worsen the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC and called for immediate restoration of essential utilities such as water, electricity, means of communication and supply lines for food and other essential commodities. Summit condemned in strongest terms the attacks on the SAMIDRC troops by the M23 operating in the Eastern DRC as such actions violated the ceasefire that was brokered through the Luanda Process on 30 July 2024 and undermine peace and security of the DRC and the SADC region,” the SADC communique added. 

The SADC move appears to reflect a broader regional consensus: Kagame’s strategy of leveraging M23 to project influence in the DRC is no longer acceptable. The unprecedented collective rebuke marks a pivotal moment in Southern Africa’s response to the escalating crisis in the DRC. 

It underscores growing frustration with Rwanda’s alleged destabilising role and signals a hardening stance towards Kigali’s ambitions in the Great Lakes region. 

The catalyst for SADC’s unified condemnation was the death of 14 South African soldiers in Sake, North Kivu, during clashes between the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and SADC forces. The attack, which also injured dozens of peacekeepers, sparked outrage in Pretoria.

The incident has heightened tensions between South Africa and Rwanda, with Ramaphosa warning of consequences for Kagame’s alleged support of M23, while Kigali dismissed the accusations as baseless. 

Historically cautious in directly confronting and calling out heads of state and government, the SADC bloc has now rallied behind South Africa and the DRC. In a closed-door summit, regional leaders reportedly agreed to increase military support for Kinshasa, including extending the mandate of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC). 

“Summit called for the immediate dispatch of ministers of defence, chiefs of defence and Troop Contributing Countries to DRC to ensure that the SAMIDRC troops are safe and facilitate immediate repatriation of the deceased troops and those who are Injured. Summit called for an immediate joint Summit of SADC and East African Community (EAC) to deliberate on the way forward regarding the security situation in the DRC as proposed by the 24th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State of the EAC held on  29th January 2025,” the SADC statement further said. 

Rwanda’s alleged role in the DRC conflict has long been an open secret. United Nations reports, including the recent findings of the Group of Experts on the DRC, have documented how the RDF has provided direct combat support, advanced weaponry, and strategic coordination to M23, facilitating the group’s territorial gains in Goma.

However, Rwanda denies any direct involvement in the attacks, accusing the South African government of spreading “distortion and lies”. In a statement released on February 2, Kigali also rejected SADC’s assertion that the Rwandan Defence Force was responsible for the deaths of the soldiers, just as the M23 rebel group. Kagame’s administration claimed the SADC’s troops backed Tshisekedi’s government, which sought to overthrow the Rwandan government. 

“Rwanda rejects the accusations against the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) made in the statement of the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on 31 January 2025. The RDF defends Rwanda’s borders from threats and protects civilians, it does not attack civilians.

“SADC has deployed an offensive force, SAMIDRC, to support the war of the Government of DRC against its own people – the M23 and the members of their community – many of whom have fled as refugees to Rwanda and throughout the region. The Government of the DRC is also bent on attacking Rwanda and overthrowing its government, as has been repeatedly and publicly stated by President Tshisekedi,” said Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a statement. 

Tensions between the DRC and Rwandan governments date back decades ago.

The DRC government has repeatedly criticised Rwanda for allegedly supporting the M23 in its fight against the Congolese state, a claim that has sparked accusations of cross-border interference. Despite Rwanda’s denials, the M23 remains a formidable force in eastern DRC, and Tshisekedi’s government said it is determined to root out the rebels.