President Cyril Ramaphosa, also Commander-in-Chief of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), yesterday (11 March) told Parliament the Southern African Development Community (SADC) would meet “soon, this week” regarding ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
His appearance in the National Assembly (NA) to respond to oral questions is a regular occurrence, set down constitutionally to happen at least four times a year. Tuesday’s appearance had him answering six written questions as well as elucidating on among others, the recent visit to the United States (US) by an AfriForum/Solidarity delegation.
Replying to ANC (African National Congress) MP (Member of Parliament) Mosa Chabane, Ramaphosa said a Southern African Development Community summit would see discussion of the current security situation in the eastern DRC, where a tri-nation SADC peacekeeping mission (SAMIDRC) has been deployed since December 2023.
The recent SADC virtual extraordinary organ where a report of its defence sub-committee on defence was tabled, according to the Ramaphosa response, will be part of recommendations to the upcoming meeting.
At least one South African online media outlet reports the summit – also to be a virtual one – will take place tomorrow (Thursday, 13 March). The Daily Maverick report has it the summit will “consider” the SADC defence sub-committee report “which proposes terminating the mission because its mandate has become untenable”.
“South Africa,” Ramaphosa informed Chabane “remains committed to working with fellow SADC countries to contribute to an inclusive, as well as a negotiated settlement of the conflict in DRC”.
Ramaphosa said the situation for South African soldiers in the DRC remains precarious, but with the temporary cessation of hostilities between the SANDF and rebels, SANDF soldiers in Goma are not in any direct danger.
“They are in quite a precarious situation right now. But as it is, the peace is holding, the troops much as they are just located at the airport, they are not being fired on.”
Ramaphosa said the movement of food and water supplies is, however, currently still subject to consultations with other armies and the M23.
On a question from the Democratic Alliance’s Chris Hattingh as to when South African troops can be withdrawn, Ramaphosa, “We want a negotiated settlement, and that in itself, will be a precursor to ensuring that we have a cessation of hostilities and in the end our troops do come back home.”
