The African National Congress (ANC) has called on the United Nations Security Council to act on attacks against UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Thirteen South African Defence Force soldiers have been killed in less than a week in the DRC after being caught in the crossfire between the M23 rebels and the DRC army.
The party has conveyed its condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.
Briefing the media on the outcomes of the ANC National Lekgotla in Johannesburg, party Secretary General Fikile Mbalula condemns misleading reports surrounding the deaths of the soldiers.
He has advised the public to treat the matter with sensitivity and to await details from the Ministry of Defence.
“These brave men and women paid the ultimate price in their service to peace and security on the African continent. The ANC salutes their courage, dedication and sacrifice in the fight for peace and stability. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time and we wish a swift recovery to those injured in the attack. As a nation, we stand together in support of the SANDF and the families who have lost loved ones in this incident,” says Mbalula.
‘Minister to brief the nation’
Mbalula has declined to respond to questions on the circumstances leading to the soldiers’ deaths, including reports that the soldiers involved the the UN peacekeeping are under-resourced and have been forced to surrender to the M23 soldiers in the eastern town of Goma. He adds that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga will brief the nation on Wednesday.
“Our soldiers in the DRC are there for a peacekeeping mission. They are not acting alone. They are acting with others within the realm of the UN and SADC. We have done that in many other countries and there are military protocols when it comes to armaments that guide nations that lead peacekeeping missions in this regard. So, sweeping stations that our soldiers are unarmed, we defer to the government to answer and we have been assured by the Minister that it will happen tomorrow.”
SANDF statement
In its latest statement, the SANDF reported that three members were killed and another later died from injuries sustained during a mortar exchange between the Congolese army and M23 rebels near Goma Airport, where the SANDF base is located. The attack, which occurred over the weekend, resulted in the deaths of nine soldiers in a fierce battle with the M23 armed group.
South African government has praised the soldiers who are part of the SADC Mission in the DRC and others who serve under the umbrella of the UN Mission in Congo.
The situation remains volatile and unpredictable in Eastern DRC. The SANDF says it remains committed to its peacekeeping responsibilities after losing more than 13 soldiers in a fierce battle with the M23 armed group.
There are growing calls for troops to be supported in the restive parts of Congo.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reached out to his Rwandan counterpart President Paul Kagame.
Ramaphosa discusses concerns over the escalating conflict with President Kagame:
Stakes are high as the East African Community will host the virtual meeting on Wednesday to discuss the current situation in Congo.
Tension is also high in the Congolese capital Kinshasa after a group of demonstrators converged outside the French diplomatic mission.
