Kagame-Ramaphosa clash over DRC | Standard Bank CEO sees optimism

Kagame and Ramaphosa spar over DRC

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has launched a furious broadside against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as diplomatic tensions spill over in the wake of the killing of 13 South African soldiers in a Rwandan-backed invasion of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

On Sunday, Rwandan troops and Rwandan-backed rebels in the M23 militia entered Goma, the largest city in the eastern DRC’s North Kivu Province. UN officials said as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops were escorting the M23 rebels. In a post on X, a direct response to a statement from Ramaphosa in which he appeared to blame Rwanda for the troop deaths, Kagame accused Ramaphosa of lying and said that Rwanda would “deal with” any South African attempts at “confrontation.”

Despite Kagame's belligerence, international pressure is mounting. On Sunday, UN secretary-general António Guterres called on the Rwanda Defence Forces to “cease support to the M23 and withdraw from DRC territory." UK foreign secretary David Lammy said that Rwanda has put $1bn of global aid under threat, and France is reportedly seeking support for a UN Security Council resolution critical of Rwanda. It is in Rwanda's interest to end the conflict now. >> Read more

BUSINESS BRIEFS

WILL DEEPSEEK DELIVER? |?The launch of DeepSeek AI , a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) model that claims to be much cheaper than its US competitors, has raised hopes that Africa could benefit from cheaper AI technology.?>> Read more

SUEZ SOLUTION |?The ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Hamas earlier this month to halt the ongoing conflict in Gaza is raising hopes that commercial shipping routes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal could become viable again, providing a much-needed boost to the Egyptian economy. >> Read more

HEALTH HAZARDS | A public health expert has warned that President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization will affect Africa’s health responses and says that the continent must rethink its financing of public health. >> Read more

GLOWING REPORT | C?te d’Ivoire is on track to further reduce its fiscal deficit this year, signalling the growing effectiveness of economic reforms aimed at boosting domestic revenues and promoting efficient public spending in the world’s largest cocoa producer, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says. >> Read more

STAR INTERVIEW

Standard Bank CEO sends positive signal for year

Interview with:?Sim Tshabalala?by?Omar Ben Yedder

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the CEO of South Africa’s biggest bank tells Omar Ben Yedder that the country is turning the corner. >> Read more

In partnership with:?Ecobank

How Ecobank is helping businesses thrive under AfCFTA

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat offers one of the greatest opportunities to accelerate the growth and development of corporates and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa, argues Souleymane Diagne, Group Head of Trade at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated .?>> Read more

GUEST INSIGHT

Africa needs to get real about UN Security Council reform

By:?David Thomas

Africa deserves greater representation at the UN Security Council but needs a better plan to get there, argues African Business editor David Thomas. >> Read more

TRENDING STORIES

South African wind industry faces setback after failed auction

Another disappointing IPP auction has raised concerns over the industry’s future – but demand for power from business remains strong. >> Read more

Opportunities for Africa’s bankers as Ethiopia opens up the sector

The International Monetary Fund has publicly welcomed Ethiopia’s opening up of banking to foreign investment after decades of protecting it as a strategic industry. >> Read more

WEF 2025: Davos hears calls to unlock Africa’s pension capital

African countries need to change their pension rules so that pension funds can invest in African projects, said Samaila Zubairu . >> Read more

Subscribe to African Business today and enjoy full access for only ￡8 per month

Subscribe

Do you like what you've read? Share it!