SA rallies behind US's decision to sanction Rwandan minister over DRC fighting
The financial sanctions against Rwanda's Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe were imposed by the US Treasury on Thursday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa engages with members of the media following the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers Meeting held at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - Despite tensions between the two countries, South Africa has rallied behind the US for its decision to sanction a Rwandan minister over his support for the M23 armed group fighting in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The financial sanctions against Rwanda's Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe were imposed by the US Treasury on Thursday.
The latest developments come as M23 rebels intensify their war against DRC's armed forces, capturing the city of Goma.
The conflict in Africa is among the issues on the agenda at the G20 foreign ministers meeting.
READ: US sanctions Rwandan minister over DR Congo fighting
The US government has labelled Kabarebe as being instrumental to Rwanda’s support of the M23 rebels.
The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control also sanctioned Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, an M23 senior member, alongside two of his companies registered in the UK and France.
Since capturing Goma, the M23 rebels have continued their advances, seizing the Kavumu airport, a critical transportation hub in eastern DRC, and occupying the city of Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu province.
READ: UK summons Rwandan envoy over M23 advance in DR Congo
Thousands have been displaced and killed in the process, including 14 South African troops.
"To the extent that we can ensure that we do not have states that sponsor the violation of another state’s territorial integrity and sovereignty then that’s something that the whole world should rally around. That’s South Africa’s position on it," said Department of International Relations spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri.
As South African soldiers continue to be deployed on the Southern African Development Community (SADC)'s peace enforcement mission in the DRC, Phiri said government is calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.