SA has demanded Rwanda remove its defence forces from and cease support of M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as nine of Pretoria’s peacekeepers have been killed in fighting in the region.
The complex web of conflict in the mineral-rich region, including the presence of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in Eastern DRC, further complicates the bilateral relations between Pretoria and Kigali, which have been strained over the past decade.
UN experts and the US have accused Rwanda of providing military support to the M23 rebels. However, Rwanda has repeatedly denied the allegations. On Sunday, M23 rebels said they had taken control of the city of Goma, a key hub in the crossfire between M23 and the Congolese armed forces.
In an address during an emergency UN Security Council sitting over the escalating conflict on Sunday, SA’s permanent representative at the UN, ambassador Mathu Joyini said the presence of external forces in the conflict continued to destabilise the region.
“It is concerning that the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity enshrined in the UN Charter are being eroded and continue to be violated globally, including in the eastern DRC, with the evident known, and well reported presence of external forces destabilising the country,” Joyini said.
The actions of the M23 contravened the ceasefire that was brokered through the Luanda process and Nairobi peace process, she said.
“It is crucial for the Rwanda Defence Forces to cease support to the M23 and for the M23 to immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas.”
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has also urged the M23 forces to withdraw from the region and for Rwanda to halt support for the forces amid fears that it could spread to a wider regional conflict.
“The secretary-general is deeply concerned by the escalating violence” and “calls on the Rwanda Defence Forces to cease support to the M23 and withdraw from DRC territory,” his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement.
Three Malawian soldiers were also killed on Saturday while serving in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) mission — comprising troops from SA, Malawi and Tanzania stationed in a mineral- rich region.
A statement from the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) said the casualties came from two days of fierce fighting amid an M23 push to take Goma.
In retaliation, DRC has cut diplomatic ties with Rwanda by recalling its diplomats from Kigali. DRC has told Rwanda to cease diplomatic and consular activities in the DRC capital within 48 hours, according to reports by Reuters.
Pikkie Greeff, the national secretary of the SA National Defence Union (Sandu), the DA and Rise Mzansi have called on the government to account for the conflict in the region.
“We once again call on commander-in-chief President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation and provide clarity on the ongoing situation in DRC,” Greeff said in a statement.
“Our soldiers and their families deserve respect, honesty and support during these challenging times.
“The government must prioritise open communication and decisive action to honour the sacrifices of those who risk their lives for our country,” Greeff said.
DA MP Chris Hattingh said: “The SA casualties come after repeated concerns of the DA about the preparedness of the SANDF after years of throttled budgets, which resulted in cutbacks in training, failure to modernise equipment, reduced serviceability of equipment including main battle equipment and the withdrawal of SA air support.”
Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi echoed similar sentiments regarding budget cuts affecting the SANDF, saying, “the latest auditor-general’s report is clear in showing that SA’s armed forces face significant governance and resource constraints, a situation that places fighting personnel at risk.
“South Africans should be outraged that its armed forces are being sent to die unnecessarily in their name.
“Just last year, at least six soldiers were killed in DRC, while another four fell victim to illness, murder and suicide.”
Update: January 27 2025
This story has been updated with more information.
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