Ramaphosa dismisses calls to withdraw SANDF troops from DRC, says they're on a 'noble mission'
President Ramaphosa said that the multinational mission was part of a bigger plan for peace and stability in Africa.
South African troops in the DRC, SANDF. Facebook/SA National Defence Force
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed calls to withdraw the South African troops deployed in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
About 2,000 SANDF soldiers are on a peacekeeping mission in the region, sanctioned by the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The fighting between DRC armed forces and the M23 rebels has claimed the lives of 14 South African troops, who were caught in the crossfire in January.
Their remains were repatriated to South Africa this week and a memorial service was held in their honour in Tshwane on Thursday night, where the president delivered an address.
These are the families of the 14 South African soldiers killed in the DRC last month during conflict between DRC armed forces and the M23 rebels. They are at the Swartkop AirForce base in Centurion for the handover ceremony and memorial service. @khanya_mntambo pic.twitter.com/iAnxRwL8An
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 13, 2025
Family members of the fallen #SANDF soldiers arriving at the marquee. SN pic.twitter.com/vfCcxGcDBz
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 13, 2025
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The last time the SANDF lost so many troops in a peacekeeping mission was in the Central Africa Republic in 2013 where 15 soldiers were killed.
The latest crisis has prompted calls from analysts and political parties for SANDF soldiers to be withdrawn from the eastern DRC.
But President Ramaphosa said that the multinational mission was part of a bigger plan for peace and stability in Africa.
"This is a noble mission, for those who question what it is we are doing in the DRC. We are a trusted country and a reliable country when it comes to peacebuilding."
Ramaphosa said that backing down now would be dishonourable and an insult to the fallen soldiers on their sacrifice.
The SAMIDRC mission by SADC and the MONUSCO mission by the UN are still expected to run until the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has hit back at detractors as the army continues to face criticism for the deployment of troops in the war-torn eastern DRC.
About 2,000 South African troops remain surrounded at their bases in Goma after the M23 rebels captured the capital in the north Kivu province last week.
Before the fall of Goma, 14 SANDF soldiers were killed in clashes between the DRC armed forces and the rebels.
They were remembered at a memorial service in Tshwane on Thursday night.
South Africa has faced harsh criticism for what some have labelled a suicide mission.
Some analysts believe the SANDF soldiers were ill-equipped for the war, claiming the contingent in the eastern DRC didn’t have enough ammunition and basic supplies.
SANDF chief, Rudzani Maphwanya, told mourners at the memorial service on Thursday night that the troops did the best with what they had.
"Our people were armed, resourced and capable of meeting the challenge that they faced."
He said that politics had no place in operational matters of the SANDF.