President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear he will not engage in public spats with other heads of state, emphasizing that sensitive issues—such as the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—are best handled behind closed doors.
Speaking at his Presidential Golf Challenge in Cape Town on Friday, the day after his 2025 State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa responded to remarks by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has accused him of misrepresenting South Africa’s role in the conflict in the DRC.
“With regard to what’s happening in the DRC, as a head of state, I’m not in the habit of getting into the mud and arguing with other people,” Ramaphosa said. “Matters of importance are discussed properly behind closed doors, so I’m not going to get into the mud.”
Ramaphosa is set to depart for the joint SADC and East Africa Community Summit in Tanzania, where leaders are expected to discuss the conflict in the DRC and other regional matters. The president stressed the importance of diplomacy and respectful dialogue among African leaders in resolving disputes and maintaining stability on the continent.
