The Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Gen. (Rtd) James Kabarebe, has criticised South Africa’s former intelligence chief, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Maomela Motau, for distorting the facts of a decades-long crisis in the eastern part of DR Congo. Kabarebe reacted to Motau’s claims on Thursday, January 30, through which the latter accused Rwanda of “being the root problem” of the DR Congo conflict. ALSO READ: DR Congo crisis: We must avoid manipulation, Kagame to EAC leaders “Retired Lt. General Maomela Motau, a former South African Intelligence Chief is haunted, and desperate having supported Rwandan dissidents living in South Africa during his time of active service,” Kabarebe reacted through his official X (formerly Twitter) page. His reaction comes amidst an escalating security situation in the eastern part of DR Congo, which saw the North Kivu provincial capital Goma fall to Congolese rebel group M23 earlier this week. ALSO READ: Rwanda calls for neutralisation of FDLR, withdrawal of foreign troops Goma’s fall, adjacent to the Rwandan border, also saw Congolese government forces and their coalition allies, including the South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) and genocidal FDLR militia linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, shell the Rwandan border city of Rubavu, killing at least 13 people and injuring hundreds of others. “It's such kind of bankrupt and backward mind that are behind the futile mess of South African forces in eastern DR Congo fighting alongside FDLR genocidal forces, and European mercenaries to kill innocent Congolese Tutsi in North Kivu struggling for their rights to survival,” Kabarebe added. ALSO READ: What does the capture of Goma mean for M23 group This is not the first time the four-star General has called out distorted reports on the root causes of the security challenges blighting DR Congo. In November 2024, Kabarebe illuminated the genesis and cause of the strained relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing the Congolese government of maintaining a hostile stance that has fuelled tensions for decades. Among other allegations, Kabarebe rejected the claims, stating that M23 fighters, led by Gen. Sultani Makenga, attacked the DR Congo from Rwanda. The M23, a rebel group that resurfaced in November 2021 after nearly a decade of inactivity, has since claimed Goma, and also announced plans to advance to Kinshasa, the capital city of DR Congo. “Avoid manipulation” Similar sentiments were echoed by President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, January 29, where he urged his counterparts from the East African Community (EAC) to pull in the same direction and avoid being manipulated in attempts to find a solution to the security challenges in the conflict-battered area. While addressing a virtual EAC crisis summit convened by Kenyan President William Ruto, in his capacity as the chair of the bloc, Kagame pointed out that regional leaders have been articulate when it came to stating the problems in DR Congo, despite actions towards resolving problems often being in sharp contrast. DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi boycotted the meeting, with his country not represented altogether.
