Following the killing of 13 South African soldiers by M23 rebels in the DRC, the South African National Defence Union (SANDU) calls for troops to remain on peacekeeping mission, despite international pressure for withdrawal. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by South African soldiers deployed abroad and raises concerns about the effectiveness of international peacekeeping efforts.
The killing of 13 South Africa n National Defence Force ( SANDF ) members by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ) has sparked widespread calls for the withdrawal of South Africa n troops from the peacekeeping mission . The incident, which has sent shockwaves through South Africa and the Southern African Development Community ( SADC ) region, has also drawn international attention.
While some, including EFF leader Julius Malema, have urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to pull out the SANDF from the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC, the South African National Defence Union (SANDU) has called for the troops to remain. SANDU National Secretary Pikkie Greeff stated that the union has received numerous inquiries regarding the justification for maintaining the South African army's presence in the mission. Greeff emphasized that the recent tragedy brings the total number of SANDF members killed during peacekeeping missions in the DRC since 2013 to 31 or more. He cited previous incidents, including the deaths of two soldiers in June 2023 and 13 soldiers in the Central African Republic in March 2013, as examples of the ongoing risks faced by South African troops deployed abroad.Despite the heightened dangers, Greeff reported that communication with soldiers stationed in Goma via satellite revealed they were safe, well-armed, and had sufficient food and water supplies. However, he acknowledged that the ongoing conflict had led to their isolation and confinement to their base. Greeff also highlighted the union's repeated attempts to address shortcomings in troop support during deployments, attributing the underperformance of peacekeeping missions to a lack of commitment from other participating countries and financial constraints within the South African defence budget. He stressed that SANDU consistently raises these concerns with SANDF management and monitors their efforts to resolve them. President Ramaphosa addressed the families of the deceased soldiers, assuring them that the repatriation process for their remains was underway. He acknowledged the tense and volatile situation in Goma and Sake, where South African troops are stationed alongside peacekeepers from Malawi, Tanzania, and the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Ramaphosa also noted the involvement of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) in the conflict, adding to the complexity of the situation. In response to the escalating crisis, an Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State convened in Harare, Zimbabwe. The summit addressed the M23's advance in the DRC, the killing of peacekeepers, and the strained relations between President Kagame and President Ramaphosa. The summit's resolutions included immediate measures to ensure the safety of deployed troops and facilitate the repatriation of the deceased and injured. It also called for a joint summit between SADC and the East African Community (EAC) to discuss a comprehensive strategy for addressing the ongoing security crisis in the DRC. The summit reaffirmed SADC's earlier decision to deploy a peacekeeping mission to the DRC, emphasizing its commitment to supporting the country's pursuit of peace, security, and territorial integrity. However, it acknowledged that these objectives had not yet been fully realized.
DRC Peacekeeping Mission M23 Rebels South Africa SANDF SADC Rwandan Defence Force Peacekeeping President Ramaphosa Julius Malema
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