By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco ) has called out the Rwandan government to cease support for M23 rebels in the DRC conflict.
This comes after nine South African soldiers were killed in the conflict.
South Africa’s National Defense Force (SANDF) said that their soldiers were killed in an offensive with M23 rebels who launched a full-scale attack on their troops to take control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
“In the course of this gallant resistance against M23 rebels the South African National Defense Force lost nine members by Friday after two days of fierce fighting,” it said.
The soldiers were part of the South African contingent deployed in eastern Congo in December 2023 as part of the SADC Mission in Congo (SAMIDRC), which supports the Congolese government in its efforts to fight the M23 rebels and bring stability to the restive eastern region, while two were from UN mission (MONUSCO).
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) issued a statement during Sunday’s UN Security Council briefing in the DRC, which was delivered by SA’s permanent representative at the United Nations, Ambassador Mathu Joyini.
Joyini said: “It is with profound regret that this meeting is taking place at a time when a number of peacekeepers have lost their lives, and many others injured in the line of duty.”
“These attacks from the M23 are in violation of the ceasefire that was brokered through the Luanda process,” she said.
She said the South African government deplores attacks against the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC’s military cohort deployed to promote peace, security, and stability in the region.
She added: Our sincere condolences go out to the families of those peacekeepers who have lost their lives, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. The cost of being a UN peacekeeper should never be this high.
This Security Council has passed many resolutions that provide clear guidance on such violations carried out against peacekeepers. The Security Council must take decisive action against callous acts aimed at undermining its role and decisions aimed at the maintenance of international peace and security.
She urged the council to send a clear message that “Peacekeepers’ Lives Matter”.
“We must value and safeguard the contribution of those entrusted to carry out the mandates adopted in this chamber,” Joyini said.
She said it’s concerning that the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, prescribed in the UN Charter, are being violated “with the evident, known, and well-reported presence of external forces destabilising the country”.
“It is crucial for the Rwanda Defence Force to cease support to the M23 and for the M23 to immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas,” Joyini said.
SADC also condemned a recent attack on its mission by the M23 armed group, saying “such actions undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and security of the DRC (Congo) and the SADC region.”
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the African Union Commission, expressed concern about the worsening security and humanitarian situation in Congo.
Mahamat noted that there is an urgent need for all parties to agree to a ceasefire and immediately end hostilities.
The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has intensified its offensive in eastern Congo, capturing key towns and advancing toward Goma. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has repeatedly denied claims of supporting the rebels.
Meanwhile, Chris Hattingh, the DA’s spokesperson on defence and military veterans, called for a parliamentary debate to examine whether the South African soldiers killed were adequately supported by the SANDF and whether they were equipped for the mission.
“The tragic loss of nine South African soldiers on 25 January 2025 at the hands of the M23 rebel group highlights the grave concerns over the safety and preparedness of our armed forces,” Hattingh said.
He added: “The DA has long raised alarms about the inadequacy of the South African National Defence Force’s preparedness for the challenges posed by the DRC’s deteriorating security situation. Despite these warnings, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga have failed to ensure that our soldiers are adequately equipped and supported to face the dangers on the ground.”