South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following the killing of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in the volatile eastern region of the country.
In his weekly letter to the nation, President Ramaphosa paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, describing them as “South African and African heroes” who lost their lives “in defence of the defenceless.” The troops were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
The soldiers were attacked in violation of a ceasefire agreement brokered by Angolan President João Lourenço between the DRC and Rwanda, Ramaphosa noted. The UN Security Council has since condemned the attack, warning that targeting peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law.
South Africa’s Commitment to African Peacekeeping
President Ramaphosa dismissed calls for South Africa to withdraw from the DRC, stating that conflict anywhere in Africa is a matter of concern for the entire continent. “The humanitarian, economic, and social effects of these conflicts are felt across borders and regions. Instability in any part of the continent affects the prospects for growth and development across the continent,” he said.
South Africa has a long history of peacekeeping across Africa, having contributed troops to missions in Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Liberia, Sudan, and Mozambique. Most recently, SANDF troops were deployed in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province as part of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which concluded in 2023.
The President emphasized that South Africa’s deployment in the DRC is part of SAMIDRC’s operational timeline and will only conclude when confidence-building measures and a ceasefire take root. However, he assured South Africans that every effort is being made to ensure the safety and proper equipping of SANDF troops.
Diplomatic Pathway to Peace
President Ramaphosa underscored the importance of diplomacy in securing a lasting peace in the DRC, urging all parties to respect the ceasefire and engage in inclusive negotiations. He reaffirmed South Africa’s support for the Luanda Process, a regional diplomatic initiative aimed at de-escalating tensions.
He also endorsed the UN Security Council’s call for the withdrawal of external forces and the reversal of territorial gains made by the M23 rebel group, a key player in the ongoing conflict.
African Solidarity in the Face of Crisis
Highlighting South Africa’s historical ties with other African nations, Ramaphosa noted that the continent had played a crucial role in supporting South Africa’s liberation struggle. “As a country, we have a duty of support towards the nations of Africa whose solidarity and material support helped secure our liberation,” he said.
With the DRC facing one of the world’s longest-running conflicts, displacing over seven million people, Ramaphosa called on the international community to show collective will and leadership in securing lasting peace in the region.
“Our country will not let up in its support for the people of the DRC so that they may have the peace and security they rightfully deserve,” he concluded.
Growing Concerns Over Security in Eastern DRC
The eastern DRC remains a hotspot of violence, with multiple armed groups—including the M23 rebels—clashing with government forces and regional peacekeepers. Despite previous diplomatic agreements, fighting has continued, raising concerns about the effectiveness of international and regional peacekeeping efforts.
