Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed the deaths of South African soldiers in fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“Following the recent intensification of fighting in the eastern DRC, South Africa has lost 13 brave soldiers who were dedicated to their mission and committed to peace,” President Cyril Ramaposa said in a statement released Wednesday, (29 January 2025).
“The fighting is the result of an escalation by the rebel group M23 and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militia engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and attacking peacekeepers from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).
“On behalf of the government and the people of our country, I express our sincerest condolences to their families, their loved ones, and colleagues.
“We bow our heads in honour of their heroic and gallant fight for peace.”
President Ramaphosa added: “We honour and mourn them.”
He said all the necessary support was being provided to the families of the deceased and the families of the injured.
The process to repatriate the remains of the deceased was underway.
The attacks on peacekeepers resulted in the deaths of SAMIDRC members from other troop-contributing countries, namely, Malawi and Tanzania, as well members of the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) brigade.
“We honour all the lives that were lost and pass our condolences to their families, governments, and citizens,” said President Ramaphosa.
“The situation in Goma and Sake, where our troops and their counterparts are stationed, remains very tense, volatile and unpredictable.”
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, the Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya, and SAMIDRC Force Commander Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu were working to ensure that the SAMIDRC forces remain well equipped and sufficiently supported during this critical mission.
“We are concerned about the speculation about the state of our troops and the battle conditions,” President Ramaphosa said.
“All South Africans must rally behind our brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to bringing peace to our continent.
“South Africa’s military presence in the eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state.”
Watch the response from Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame below:
