International Relations expert, Professor Siphamandla Zondi, says the death of 13 South African soldiers in the DRC will put pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure that the peace talks between the warring countries, DRC and Rwanda, yield positive results so that the death of the troops is not in vain.
Rwanda-backed rebels, M23, claim to have taken control of Goma city, but the Congolese government says its troops still hold some key locations.
Goma, a trading and transport hub that is within reach of mining towns supplying metals and minerals in high demand, is the provincial capital of North Kivu province in eastern DRC and sits on the border with Rwanda.
Rwanda is allegedly backing the rebels in the war and has expressed concern over the fighting near its border, describing it as a serious threat to its security and territorial integrity.
Speaking to YNews, Zondi says the DRC cannot afford to experience a full-blown war with Rwanda.
Amid calls for peace in the region from other African leaders, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that he has now spoken to Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, about the deadly conflict.
The Kenyan government has announced that Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi will attend a crisis summit on the conflict tomorrow (Wednesday).
Kenyan President, William Ruto, also called on his Rwandan and Congolese counterparts to work together to bring peace in the war-torn region.
The current Chair of the East African Community says the EAC member states will convene an Extraordinary Summit in the next 48 hours to chart a way forward.
Back in South Africa, various political parties, rights groups and some South Africans are calling for Pretoria to withdraw the SANDF members to prevent more bloodshed.
Save South Africa has accused government of having carelessly sent out the military to the DRC.
Casting doubts over Defence Minister Angie Motshekga’s ability to hold office, the civil rights group says she must step down.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, supports the calls for the return of the South African army.
He believes that the SANDF troops in the DRC are ill-equipped and lack capacity.
Professor Zondi says while Minister Motshekga’s communication on the worrisome state of affairs is poor, calls for her to step down will have to substantiated.
The African National Congress (ANC) has meanwhile urged the United Nation Security Council to intervene.
Speaking at media briefing, ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, told journaists that the soldiers were sent to the DRC to maintain peace.
He also called on the public to refrain from spreading misinformation about the situation in that country.
Minister Motshekga will hold a press conference tomorrow to update the country on the crisis.
The recent events have left social media users reeling, calling for government to do more to protect the lives of troops.
The M23 rebels and those who support them have crossed a line. They have not only attacked our soldiers but have also struck at the heart of our nation. As a nation, we will rise to this challenge with resolve, unity, and action. #SANDF
— Tsebiso (@TsebisoMahlangu) January 28, 2025
We need to end our never ending deployment in DRC.
Bring the troops home and focus on strengthening the SANDF. https://t.co/Dm31FQgBoy
— Dagan Naeser (@D_Naeser) January 28, 2025
Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. And today, I stand here to declare unequivocally: we will not allow their deaths to be in vain. #SANDF
— Tsebiso (@TsebisoMahlangu) January 28, 2025
These men and women laid down their lives not for personal gain, but for the noble cause of securing peace in a war-torn region, safeguarding innocent lives, and upholding the values of freedom and stability. #SANDF
— Tsebiso (@TsebisoMahlangu) January 28, 2025
We have been compomised. DRC troops trained by SANDF have deflected to M23 so what do we expect. They know all of our tech and strategies. Whats left for ourselves is to SOS.
— Minister of Common Sense🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@le2lachipi) January 28, 2025
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