South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, affirmed the country’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid escalating violence in the region. Joyini’s remarks follow deadly clashes between M23 rebels and peacekeeping forces, which resulted in the deaths of at least 13 soldiers, including nine from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation after M23-backed forces advanced toward the key city of Goma, prompting the Democratic Republic of Congo to withdraw its diplomats from Kigali. The SANDF soldiers were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which supports the Congolese government in restoring stability.
Joyini called for decisive international action, particularly from the UN Security Council, in response to the killing of peacekeepers. She stated that the council must send a clear message regarding the importance of safeguarding peacekeepers’ lives and upholding their mandates.
The M23 group has been vying for control of mineral-rich regions in North and South Kivu. Since the beginning of 2025, reports indicate that over 400,000 people have been displaced due to the ongoing violence.
Condemning the attacks on peacekeepers, Joyini urged the international community to act against those responsible. She also called for Rwanda to halt its support for M23 and for the rebel group to cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied territories.
Joyini reiterated the need for renewed efforts to resolve the conflict, including the resumption of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes aimed at reaching a political solution. She praised the work of President João Lourenço of Angola, who leads the African Union’s efforts for peace and reconciliation in Africa.
