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SANDF members cannot die in vain: Expert

todayJanuary 28, 2025 40

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Photo Credit: SANDF

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.

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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