Johannesburg, South Africa – February 5, 2025. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to continue supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) despite growing calls for the withdrawal of troops following the deaths of 14 South African soldiers.
The soldiers, who were part of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission, were killed in escalating violence in eastern DRC, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have made significant territorial gains. The conflict has sparked regional tensions, with leaders scrambling for a diplomatic solution.
Ramaphosa: “South Africa Will Not Let Up”
In a statement on Monday, Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the DRC, stressing that a peaceful resolution requires international cooperation.
“Achieving a lasting peace and security for the eastern DRC and the region requires the collective will of the community of nations. South Africa will not let up in its support to the people of the DRC,” he said.
Despite these reassurances, the deaths of South African soldiers have led to widespread domestic opposition, with critics questioning the safety and purpose of the deployment. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party called the mission “reckless and unjustifiable.”
Rwanda-South Africa Diplomatic Spat Intensifies
The crisis has deepened tensions between South Africa and Rwanda, with a public exchange of accusations between Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo criticized Ramaphosa’s stance, claiming that South African troops were fighting “Tshisekedi’s war to kill his own people.” She also accused Ramaphosa of having personal mining interests in the DRC, a claim he has not directly addressed.
A UN report previously alleged that Rwanda has deployed thousands of troops in eastern DRC to exploit its vast mineral wealth. Kigali denies supporting M23 rebels and instead accuses the DRC of harboring the FDLR, a militia linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Following the deaths of South African soldiers, Ramaphosa and Kagame held talks, during which they reportedly agreed on the need for a ceasefire. However, Kagame later accused Ramaphosa of misrepresenting their discussion, stating that South African troops had no legitimate role in the conflict.
Future of SADC Mission Uncertain
South Africa is the dominant force in the SADC peacekeeping mission, which includes around 1,300 troops from Malawi and Tanzania. However, questions have emerged about whether the soldiers have adequate support.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) party has demanded a parliamentary debate on the mission, raising concerns about poor equipment and the lack of air support.
Ramaphosa clarified that the mission has a limited timeframe and will wind down once “confidence-building measures” take hold. However, he insisted that a ceasefire must first be established and respected by all sides.
Meanwhile, the SADC has called for a summit with the East African Community (EAC) to discuss the worsening security situation in the DRC. The regional bloc also sent officials to the DRC to assess the safety of its troops and facilitate the repatriation of casualties.
The Road Ahead
With M23 rebels still advancing and tensions between South Africa and Rwanda escalating, the future of the SADC mission remains uncertain. While Ramaphosa remains steadfast in his support for the DRC, growing domestic opposition and diplomatic rifts could influence the country’s next move.
As the region awaits the outcomes of emergency summits, the crisis in eastern DRC continues to test Africa’s ability to resolve one of its longest-running conflicts.
