There have been suggestions from diplomats that Pretoria will consider air support to the SANDF troops who remain in the DRC. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
South Africa is, so far, resisting calls from the Democratic Republic of the Congo for reinforcements after Goma fell to M23 rebels and 13 South African troops died in clashes for control of the city in eastern DRC.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday said the South African troop presence in the DRC was “not a declaration of war” but an endeavour, sanctioned by the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“We are concerned about the speculation about the state of our troops and the battle conditions. All South Africans must rally behind our brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to bringing peace in our continent,” Ramaphosa said.
”South Africa’s military presence in the eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state. The members of the South African National Defence Force [SANDF] that are in the DRC are part of both SADC and United Nations efforts to bring peace and protect thousands of lives that are constantly threatened by the conflict in the DRC. The presence of the SAMIDRC [Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo] forces demonstrates a commitment of SADC member states to supporting the DRC in its efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability and ultimately, create an enabling environment for sustainable development and prosperity.”
Ramaphosa’s statement came after he personally called both DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kamage, the perceived backer of the M23 militia who captured Goma on Monday. He expressed the need for peace talks and an immediate ceasefire in those conversations.
Tshisekedi is understood to have asked for reinforcements for the SAMIDRC, the peacekeeping force in the region, in the wake of the rebels’ capture of Goma.
It is understood that Pretoria is resisting the call, and instead pressing the DRC leader to enter direct peace talks with the M23 militia and Kagame.
UN reports have suggested that in recent days up to 4000 Rwandan troops have crossed the border into the DRC.
There have been suggestions from diplomats that Pretoria will consider air support to the SANDF troops who remain in the region. The SAMIDRC has become the first line of defence when the Congolese army folded amid the rebel advance.
But security analysts caution that logistically it is hard to see how air support is possible, and South African diplomats concede that Pretoria can do nothing in the context of the peace mission without the approval of SADC.
The SANDF troops have been based at Goma airport.
Tshisekedi has been resisting calls to engage directly with M23 and Kagame but Ramaphosa’s stance, plus the situation on the ground, puts his back to the wall.
South Africa’s ambassador to the United Nations, Mathu Joyini, has called for an immediate resumption of the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
The Luanda process in 2024 yielded the Rubavu ceasefire accord, in terms of which Rwanda agreed to withdraw its forces from the DRC, she said on Sunday.
“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.”
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has followed up with a condemnation of Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict.
“We would also like to condemn Rwanda for its support of the M23 as clearly proven by various United Nations reports of experts. We therefore call upon Rwanda to cease its support to the M23 and for its forces to withdraw from the DRC,” he said in an address to an emergency meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council.