How South Africa lost 13 brave soldiers to Congo crisis – Ramaphosa

The South African President, Cyril has said following the recent intensification of fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa has lost 13 brave soldiers who were dedicated to their mission and committed to peace.

In a statement on X Wednesday, the President explained that the fighting is as a result of an escalation by the rebel group M23 and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militia engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), while attacking peacekeepers from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

According to him, “On behalf of the govt and the people of our country, I express o/sincerest condolences to their families, their loved ones and colleagues. We bow our heads in honor of their heroic and gallant fight for peace.
“We honour and mourn them. All necessary support is being provided to the families of the deceased and the families of the injured. The process to repatriate the remains of the deceased is underway.

“The attacks on peacekeepers resulted in the deaths of SAMIDRC members from other troop contributing countries, namely, Malawi and Tanzania, as well members of the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) brigade.

“We honour all the lives that were lost and pass our condolences to their families, governments and citizens. The situation in Goma and Sake, where our troops and their counterparts are stationed, remains very tense, volatile and unpredictable”.
The President revealed that the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga, the Chief of the SANDF Gen Rudzani Maphwanya and SAMIDRC Force Commander Maj Gen Monwabisi Dyakopu are working to ensure that the SAMIDRC forces remain well equipped and sufficiently supported during this critical mission.

He said South Africans are concerned about the speculation about the state of the troops and the battle conditions while calling all South Africans to rally behind these brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to bringing peace in the continent.

“South Africa’s military presence in the eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state. Members of the South African National Defence Force that are in the DRC are part of both SADC and United Nations efforts to bring peace and protect thousands of lives that are constantly threatened by the conflict in the DRC.
“The presence of the SAMIDRC forces demonstrates a 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”.

South African leader said the country welcome the position that was recently adopted by the United Nations Security Council during its special sitting on the situation in the DRC, which calls for an immediate end to hostilities, the reversal of territorial expansion by the M23, the exit of external forces from the DRC and the resumption of peace talks under the Nairobi Process.

Ramaphosa said, “The territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected in accordance with the United Nations Charter on the respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of other states.

He called on all parties to this conflict to fully embrace the current diplomatic efforts that are aimed at finding peaceful resolution, including honoring the Luanda Process agreements. “We must silence the guns on our continent for attainment of inclusive development and prosperity”.