South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that a political solution is needed to end the crisis in eastern DR Congo where his country deployed thousands of troops as part of a mission from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Ramaphosa, who was in Rwanda for the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, faced criticism after he approved the deployment of 2,900 troops to eastern DR Congo to fight alongside a Congolese government-led coalition that includes the FDLR, a terrorist group linked to the Genocide against the Tutsi. I leave Rwanda with renewed vigour and intention that we should find a solution - a political solution - to what is prevailing [in this region], Ramaphosa told the media on Sunday, April 7, as he concluded his two-day visit. ALSO READ: Rwanda concerned by UN support to SADC troops in DR Congo Ramaphosa held a meeting with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame on Saturday. The people of the DRC yearn for peace and similarly the people of Rwanda yearn for peace. And therefore, all of us combined, including SADC, should work towards installing peace in this area. We want peace in the DRC we want peace in Rwanda. @CyrilRamaphosa #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/lofDjnREhp — Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) April 7, 2024 The Rwandan government earlier expressed concerns that the South Africa-led SADC mission in DR Congo would escalate the Kinshasa-M23 conflict into a regional crisis. Rwanda expressed dismay at SADC's involvement in the persecution and killings of Congolese Tutsi communities, who have been subjected to the FDLR-led hate speech and genocide ideology. ALSO READ: Two South African soldiers killed in DR Congo fire ALSO READ: Julius Malema wants SA troops out of DR Congo It remains to be seen what will be the impact of Ramaphosa's visit to Kigali on the situation in eastern DR Congo. The DR Congo-led coalition with the genocidal militia also includes troops from Burundi, eastern European mercenaries, and a host of Congolese militia groups. Eastern DR Congo is home to more than 200 armed groups. The region has been volatile for three decades. Multiple interventions have failed to end the decades of violence.
