By Thapelo Molefe
Despite the loss of 13 South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, President Cyril Ramaphosa has stood firmly behind the country’s military deployment, emphasising that South Africa’s presence is a mission of peace, not war.
“South Africa’s military presence in the eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state,” Ramaphosa said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Our forces are there to bring peace and protect thousands of lives that are constantly threatened by the conflict in the DRC. We must silence the guns on our continent for the attainment of inclusive development and prosperity.”
There have been growing calls from South Africans to withdraw the troops from the DRC. Until Wednesday, the president had not said anything in public on the deaths.
The Democratic Alliance accused Ramaphosa of being silent because he did not care.
“The situation in the DRC continues to worsen, with 13 South African soldiers tragically killed, and the fate of many others still unknown,” said DA defence sokesperson Chris Hattingh.
“The President does not care…He is also allowing a military festival to take place at a time when our military is facing a catastrophic crisis. This is cold, careless, and offensive. To add insult to injury, these events are scheduled to continue while the nation mourns the loss of our soldiers.”
The deaths occurred as the M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, escalated attacks in the region, leading to fierce battles near Goma. The SANDF troops, serving under both the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC, were targeted in these assaults.
Ramaphosa expressed his profound condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, honoruing their dedication to peace
He said the government was currently working to repatriate the remains of the deceased and provide full support to their families.
In the wake of the losses, Ramaphosa urged South Africans to stand united in support of the troops deployed in the region.
“We are concerned about speculation regarding the state of our troops and the battle conditions,” he said. “All South Africans must rally behind our brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to bringing peace to our continent.”
Despite the dangers on the ground, he assured the nation that the SANDF remained well-equipped and supported, with Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and SANDF leadership working to ensure the troops’ safety and effectiveness.
However, the Economic Freedom Fighters has accused the government of dodging accountability after a key parliamentary meeting on the crisis was postponed at the last minute.
The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans was scheduled to meet on Wednesday morning to assess the situation and discuss urgent interventions. However, the meeting was abruptly postponed late the previous night, reportedly due to Motshekga’s unavailability.
“This is an outrageous attempt to avoid scrutiny while our soldiers are dying,” EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said, alleging that Motshekga influenced the delay to control the narrative.
While the criticism grows, Ramaphosa insists that SA’s mission in the DRC remains essential to the stability of the region.
“The presence of the SAMIDRC forces demonstrates the commitment of SADC member states to supporting the DRC in its efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability, and ultimately, create an enabling environment for sustainable development and prosperity,” he said.
The president welcomed the recent resolution by the United Nations Security Council, which called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of external forces, and the resumption of peace talks under the Nairobi Process.
As tensions mount, Ramaphosa reiterated the need for diplomatic solutions.
“The territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected in accordance with the United Nations Charter,” he emphasised.
“We call on all parties to fully embrace the current diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution, including honouring the Luanda Process agreements.”
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