Monday, 3 February 2025
South Africa is mourning the loss of 14 soldiers who were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past two weeks. The troops, deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO), were attacked despite an existing ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda.
The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the attack, warning that assaults on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to the fallen troops, calling them heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect vulnerable civilians caught in one of the world’s longest-running conflicts.
Since 1996, violence in the DRC has claimed millions of lives, with over seven million people displaced, according to the UN. The crisis, marked by severe human rights abuses—including large-scale attacks on civilians, abductions, forced labour, and mass sexual violence—has drawn global concern.
South Africa has been an active participant in peacekeeping operations across Africa since 1999, contributing to missions in Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Liberia, and Sudan, among others. The country played a key role in the 2022 ceasefire negotiations between Ethiopia’s government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. More recently, South African troops were part of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which helped stabilize Cabo Delgado province.
The recent loss of soldiers has sparked debate over South Africa’s role in the eastern DRC. Some critics argue that the country has no business being involved, but the government maintains that instability in Africa affects the entire continent. President Ramaphosa stressed that the humanitarian, economic, and security implications of conflicts in Africa transcend national borders.
For lasting peace to be achieved, an immediate cessation of hostilities is required, alongside a ceasefire that all parties must respect. South Africa’s involvement in the DRC remains bound to the SAMIDRC mission’s operational timeline. The withdrawal of troops will be aligned with progress in diplomatic efforts and the implementation of stability measures.
Ensuring the safety of deployed soldiers remains a priority, with the government reaffirming its commitment to equipping and supporting troops stationed in volatile regions. The mission’s success, officials say, depends on a sustained diplomatic process that includes both state and non-state actors.
South Africa has joined the UN in calling for the reversal of territorial gains by the M23 rebel group and the withdrawal of external forces from the DRC. The government is urging all parties to fully engage with ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the Luanda Process, to secure a peaceful resolution.
The path to stability in the DRC requires strong political leadership and collective commitment from the international community. As a nation that once relied on African solidarity in its own struggle for freedom, South Africa remains steadfast in supporting the DRC’s quest for lasting peace and security.
