By Simon Nare
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has refuted claims that South African soldiers on a peace mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo have run out of ammunition and food following a gun battle with M23 rebels that left 13 SA soldiers dead.
Addressing journalists during the Cabinet lekgotla in Pretoria on Wednesday, she said she had visited SA National Defence Force troops in Goma in the eastern DRC.
The minister said she spoke to soldiers and generals in charge of the operations and none of them raised issues about ammunition and food.
“I personally went to Goma and I got a briefing from all the generals. At no stage did the generals I spoke to say they had run out of ammunition or food,” Motshekga said.
She added that after a 48-hour battle, SANDF troops were reinforced with additional ammunition and other neighbouring countries who were part of the mission did the same.
Motshekga said that when she returned to South Africa, she briefed the National Conventional Arms Control Committee to say that due to the escalating hostilities, it was important to reinforce troops.
“Our sense is that that war is not going to be won through arms; it can be won if you sit down and negotiate. So, we have called for a ceasefire. I can assure South Africans that our camps have not been attacked for the last 48 hours.
“Unfortunately for us when we were in Goma, Rwanda forces and DRC forces were fighting over our heads and that is where we lost three people. So, we had to quickly communicate to M23 to say we are not part of the battle, so don’t fight over our heads,” she said.
The minister added that an agreement was reached with M23 at that point, and that was when the SANDF troops hoisted a white flag as part of the truce.
Also, the M23 needed free passage to retrieve the bodies of their fallen members, she said.
Motshekga said that by Wednesday afternoon she had been informed by generals in Goma that fighting has intensified, but SA troops were not involved, and the department was keeping tabs on the situation as it was volatile.
She said President Cyril Ramaphosa continued to engage with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose country is alleged to be backing the M23.
Motshekga said there were no hostilities between SA and Rwanda, and that Ramaphosa decided to call Kagame when the fighting was happening at the South African base. According to media reports, Ramaphosa warned in the call that it would be considered a declaration of war if fighting continued at the base.
She said the country continued to engage countries who were involved in the various missions in the DRC.
Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has commended the government’s diplomatic efforts within the African Union and the Southern African Development Community to restore normalcy in the DRC.
“The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union has also condemned, in the strongest terms possible, the heinous attacks by the M23 rebels, which resulted in the loss of lives, injuries and displacement, especially of women and children. The PSC warned that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The committee notes that these attacks by the M23 rebels violated the ceasefire brokered through the Luanda Process. It is crucial for the Rwanda Defence Forces to cease support to the M23 and for the M23 to cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas immediately.”
The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces chair Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, have paid tribute to the fallen soldiers.
“The loss of these courageous soldiers is both distressing and deeply painful, as they dedicated themselves to the noble cause of upholding peace and stability in the Southern African Development Community region and beyond,” the Presiding Officers said in a statement.
“These gallant men and women selflessly served in the pursuit of peace, and their sacrifice will forever be honoured and remembered.”
They commended Ramaphosa for his “leadership” in initiating dialogue with his Rwandan and DRC counterparts, Kagame and President Félix Tshisekedi, to find a solution to the escalating conflict.
Diplomatic engagement remained a crucial tool in resolving complex regional challenges, they said.
“…. we are hopeful that through the collective efforts of SADC and the African Union, an urgent and sustainable resolution will be found. The need for long-lasting peace and stability in the region has never been more pressing, and we urge all stakeholders to intensify efforts towards a peaceful settlement.”
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