Ramaphosa sends SANDF troops to DRC as part of SADC mission
The employment will be to fulfil South Africa’s international obligation to the SADC’s mission fighting against illegal armed groups in the DRC, the Presidency said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his 2024 State of the Nation (SONA) at Cape Town City Hall on 8 February 2024. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the deployment of 2,900 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to assist in the fight against illegal armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Presidency said this was in line with fulfilling South Africa's international obligation towards a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission to support the DRC.
The group will be in the DRC from 15 December 2023 and will serve until the same date in 2024.
"The obligation to contribute troops to the SADC mission in the DRC is borne by all SADC member states," said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.