By Munacho Gwamanda- Rwandan President Paul Kagame, has arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the EAC-SADC Joint Summit aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
However, his arrival was marked by a notable diplomatic moment that has fueled speculation about escalating tensions between Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In a video of his arrival, Kagame entered a room with African leaders and initially bypassed Zimbabwean President and SADC Chairman Emmerson Mnangagwa, before returning to greet him.
This seemingly minor act has drawn attention, given the recent hostile exchanges between Kagame and SADC leaders, particularly South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The strained relations between Rwanda and SADC intensified last week when SADC, under Mnangagwa’s chairmanship, accused Rwanda of funding the M23 rebels operating in eastern DRC.
During a recent SADC summit in Harare, the bloc explicitly blamed Rwanda for backing the rebel group, which has been responsible for the deaths of 14 South African soldiers deployed as part of the SADC peacekeeping mission in the region.
The accusations triggered a heated diplomatic clash between Kagame and Ramaphosa.
The South African leader openly accused the Rwandan Defence Force of aiding the M23 rebels, escalating the crisis.
Kagame, in turn, dismissed the allegations as misinformation and direct attacks on Rwanda’s sovereignty.
In light of these tensions, Kagame’s initial failure to acknowledge Mnangagwa could be interpreted as a deliberate snub,reflecting the widening diplomatic rift.
His decision to later return and greet the SADC chairman may have been a calculated move to maintain appearances at the high-level summit.
This moment underscores the fragile nature of regional diplomacy, where even seemingly minor gestures carry significant symbolic and political weight.
The deepening rift between Rwanda and SADC leaders has raised concerns over a potential military confrontation that could destabilize the entire Southern African region.
Some analysts warn that Rwanda’s defiance, increasing military involvement in DRC, and aggressive stance toward South Africa could undermine SADC’s authority, weakening the bloc’s ability to mediate conflicts effectively.