The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) is deeply concerned about the life-threatening situation facing South African troops in the DRC after 13 fall in battle with many more being wounded.
We are deeply concerned about the life-threatening situation facing South African troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after yesterday’s fall of Goma to Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.
The troops are part of the peace-keeping missions of both the Southern Africa Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC) as well as the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) in the mineral rich North Kivu state in the eastern DRC.
According to reports, our troops in Goma are surrounded and unable to seek treatment for their wounded, or receive supplies and reinforcements. This after the airport in Goma was taken by the M23 rebels. Sadly, four more South African soldiers have died in battle, bringing to 13 the number of SA soldiers who have died in fighting with M23 rebels over the last five days.
The ACDP calls on President Ramaphosa as the Commander-in-Chief of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) to urgently address the nation on the escalating crisis in Goma and the well-being of our troops. We note that President Ramaphosa has called Rwandan President Paul Kagama regarding the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict and expect him to brief the nation on these developments.
We also require the Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga, and the leadership of the SANDF to urgently account to Parliament on the tragic loss of our soldiers’ lives. We also need to be briefed on the safety of our troops and plans to relieve them and to evacuate our wounded. The Minister’s deafening silence on this crisis and the well-being of our troops is deeply alarming and must add to the anxiety of the families whose loved ones are deployed in Goma. She has shown that she is ill-equipped for this position and should be replaced.
These deaths also highlight the consequences of inadequate resources and support for our deployed troops to carry out their duties and return home safely. The South African National Defence Union and other military experts had previously stated that there is a dire need for improved air support, medical facilities, logistical capabilities, and combat support, including crucial radar defence systems for our troops in the DRC. Force multipliers such as artillery, attack helicopters, drones and heavy mortars are also required to support the soldiers on the ground. These were sadly lacking and contributed to the tragic loss of lives in battle.
The ACDP has repeatedly stated that the defence budget is insufficient for the SANDF to fulfil its mandate, and we shouldn’t deploy our troops in peacekeeping roles without the necessary resources. During last year’s Defence Budget vote we stated that, “it is time for decisive action to ensure that our troops are equipped with the tools they need to succeed and survive in their mission in the DRC or bring them home.”
While we appreciate that an additional R2bn was allocated to the defence department in last year’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement for the DRC deployment, despite this additional funding, our soldiers are still dying in battle. It is clear that not enough is being done to equip and protect our soldiers in the DRC and more needs to be done.
Lastly, the ACDP would like to extend its deepest condolences to the families of the 13 brave South African soldiers who died in battle. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the many wounded soldiers that may speedily be evacuated and fully recover.
