Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared together for the first time since a public fallout earlier this year, sharing a panel discussion at the Africa CEO Forum 2025 in Abidjan. The forum, which brings together key leaders from across the continent, served as the setting for the high-stakes reunion following months of tension between the two leaders over the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Also seated on the panel was Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, the immediate former chairperson of the African Union (AU), alongside two other African heads of state. Their discussion centered on peace, economic development, and the growing need for continental sovereignty amidst increasing global turbulence.
The rift between Kagame and Ramaphosa emerged in January, triggered by conflicting positions on the escalating violence in the DRC’s eastern region. At the heart of their disagreement was the deployment and mandate of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which had been battling the M23 rebel group. The conflict intensified when M23 forces seized the key city of Goma and later launched deadly attacks on SAMIDRC positions, leading to the deaths of South African, Malawian, Tanzanian, and UN MONUSCO peacekeepers.
South Africa, which played a leading role in SAMIDRC, sustained multiple casualties and began withdrawing troops from the region, sparking further scrutiny and tension among troop-contributing nations. Although Ramaphosa publicly denied any personal conflict with Kagame, observers noted signs of diplomatic strain.
“We’ve remained in communication—on the phone and through other means,” Ramaphosa told the audience in Abidjan, dismissing suggestions of a deeper fallout.
The presence of both leaders on the same panel was symbolic of broader continental efforts to find unity in the face of fragmentation. The panel discussion touched on how African nations must reclaim ownership of peacebuilding processes, with both Kagame and Ramaphosa offering differing but complementary perspectives.
Kagame appeared cautious, subtly distancing Rwanda from external narratives regarding peace efforts. He noted that while international actors such as Qatar and the United States helped broker recent ceasefire talks between Rwanda and the DRC, African nations should not rely too heavily on external mediation.
“Everyone is trying,” Kagame remarked. “But it comes back to us. These are reminders that there are things we need to do ourselves, and we haven’t done them. We depend so much on outside partners and forget our own responsibilities.”
In contrast, Ramaphosa acknowledged the critical role of external stakeholders, stressing that African peace efforts should remain inclusive while rooted in continental responsibility.
“We must build peace ourselves because we live on this continent,” said Ramaphosa. “But let’s also thank those who are assisting—Qatar, the U.S., or others—because they are our partners in peace.”
This year’s Africa CEO Forum is being held during a pivotal moment for the continent, as nations grapple with renewed calls for economic sovereignty, growing trade tensions, and escalating conflicts from Sudan to the Horn of Africa. There is rising skepticism over whether institutions like the African Union, regional economic blocs, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) have achieved their promised objectives of political leverage and shared growth.
A major theme of the forum is the role of public-private sector collaboration in shaping a resilient, sovereign Africa. Presidents Kagame, Ramaphosa, Ghazouani, and their counterparts are expected to propose reforms aimed at aligning government and business priorities to strengthen Africa’s economic independence and peace architecture.
However, questions remain over whether Africa’s private sector has been given the tools and environment it needs to flourish and lead transformative growth.
