shloboe boe
THE recent exchange of belligerent messages between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is a worrying trend that could further undermine Africa’s quest for unity.
African leaders should prioritise finding diplomatic solutions instead of calling each other out on social media platforms. They should work towards African unity instead of adopting confrontational stances and issuing veiled threats against each other.
Our continent has suffered numerous wars that have resulted in millions of deaths, with non-African countries funding and sponsoring these wars. It is vital that African leaders resist being used by Western countries to destabilise the continent, allowing them to pillage Africa’s natural resources and minerals.
The crisis in the Eastern DRC is a matter of concern, as M23 rebels have wrestled control of Goma, a city located close to the border of Rwanda and the DRC.
South Africa deployed soldiers in Goma as part of the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) peacekeepers. However, President Kagame seems unhappy with their presence, accusing South Africa of supporting the DRC army in the conflict. The situation requires immediate attention to avoid further destabilisation of the region.
It is essential that African leaders come together in unity to find a solution to the Eastern DRC crisis. They should prioritise dialogue instead of resorting to social media trading accusations and veiled threats. Such actions set a dangerous precedent and could cause more harm than good. The DRC has suffered from conflict for far too long, and Africa’s leaders should not add to its woes.
Our continent is rich in natural resources and minerals, and this has made it a prime target for pillagers and non-African countries that capitalise on instability to loot resources. The looting of African minerals and natural resources has been happening for far too long, and it is time African leaders put a stop to it.
African leaders must come together in unity and put their differences aside to end the conflict in the Eastern DRC. African unity is crucial, and it is only through uniting that the continent can overcome the challenges it faces.
We call upon all our leaders to prioritise finding solutions to the challenges affecting our continent through peaceful and diplomatic means.
African leaders must not allow themselves to be set up against each other by imperial forces bent on looting the continent’s mineral and natural resources.
They must work towards African unity and prioritise diplomatic channels to resolve conflicts, instead of trading accusations and threats on social media. It’s time for Africa to speak with one voice and prioritise the interests of its people.
We urge our leaders to come together and end the Eastern DRC crisis.
