The African National Congress (ANC) has called on the United Nations Security Council to take decisive action following a series of deadly attacks on UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Thirteen South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers have been killed in less than a week after being caught in the crossfire between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army.
Expressing deep sorrow, the ANC has extended its condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on the outcomes of the ANC National Lekgotla, party Secretary General Fikile Mbalula condemned what he described as misleading reports about the circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ deaths. He urged the public to approach the matter with sensitivity and to await official information from the Ministry of Defence. Mbalula praised the soldiers’ sacrifice, stating that they had paid the ultimate price in service to peace and security on the continent. He emphasised that the ANC salutes their courage, dedication, and selflessness in the fight for stability, adding that the nation stands in solidarity with the SANDF and the bereaved families.
Mbalula declined to comment on reports suggesting that South African troops deployed under the UN peacekeeping mission were under-resourced and had been forced to surrender to M23 rebels in the eastern town of Goma. He insisted that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga would provide a detailed briefing on the matter on Wednesday. He also rejected claims that the troops were unarmed, explaining that South African forces were operating within a structured military framework under the UN and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He urged the public to allow the government to provide accurate details, reiterating that the troops were not acting alone but in cooperation with other forces committed to peacekeeping in the region.
The SANDF has since confirmed that an initial attack near Goma Airport over the weekend resulted in the deaths of three soldiers, with a fourth succumbing to injuries sustained during a mortar exchange between the Congolese army and M23 rebels. The battle later escalated, leading to the deaths of nine additional South African soldiers. The government has praised the troops’ bravery and commitment to maintaining peace in the DRC but acknowledged the growing concerns over the volatile security situation in the eastern region of the country. There are increasing calls for peacekeeping forces to be better supported as they navigate the complexities of the conflict.
In response to the crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa has engaged in discussions with his Rwandan counterpart, President Paul Kagame, as diplomatic efforts to address the situation continue. The East African Community (EAC) is set to convene a virtual meeting on Wednesday to assess the unfolding developments in the DRC. Meanwhile, tensions in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, have escalated, with demonstrators gathering outside the French diplomatic mission in protest. The deteriorating security situation has heightened calls for urgent intervention, with pressure mounting on regional and international bodies to reinforce peacekeeping efforts and ensure the protection of deployed troops.
