Pretoria – The recent deaths of 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the hands of M23 rebels have ignited a fierce debate about South Africa’s military involvement in the region.
Opposition leader Julius Malema has issued a forceful call for the immediate withdrawal of all SANDF troops, a demand complicated by the complex political and military realities on the ground.
Malema, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), asserted that South African soldiers had surrendered to the M23, a rebel group allegedly backed by Rwanda. He wrote: “The truth is undeniable, the SA army has surrendered, and M23 is disarming them. Today’s portfolio committee meeting has been postponed simply because the Minister of Defence chose not to appear.
“We cannot stand by and be complicit in this situation; we must take a stand and demand the immediate withdrawal of our soldiers from the DRC. It is imperative that we increase the military budget, and all military equipment tenders must be halted without delay. Denel must be empowered with the mandate to produce military equipment, and our soldiers must undergo re-training before considering redeployment. We will not accept anything less.”
This statement directly contradicts the SANDF’s denial on Tuesday that its soldiers had surrendered.
Malema’s call for withdrawal isn’t merely a reaction to the recent casualties; it reflects broader concerns about the SANDF’s preparedness and the purpose of its deployment. He highlighted the need for increased military spending, a halt to military equipment tenders, and the empowerment of Denel, the South African state-owned aerospace and military technology conglomerate, to produce military equipment. He also stressed the need for retraining before any redeployment.
@slindokuhlekangunezi SANDF 🇿🇦 soldiers in UN 🇺🇳 operation in DRC 🇨🇩 #SANDF#saarmy #saarmy🇿🇦 #unitednations #fy #fyp #militarytiktok
However, the situation is far more nuanced than Malema’s call for immediate withdrawal suggests. Several South African security experts and retired military generals have cautioned against such a move, arguing that it would weaken South Africa’s regional standing and portray the country as vulnerable.
They contend that a major power like South Africa should not retreat in the face of a rebel group supported by a smaller nation like Rwanda. They emphasise South Africa’s significant influence within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and across the African continent.
The decision to withdraw troops, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya clarified, rests not with President Cyril Ramaphosa alone, but with the SADC bloc. He explained that South Africa’s involvement is part of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), meaning any withdrawal would require collective agreement. This highlights the international dimension of the conflict and South Africa’s commitment to regional stability.
Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force in eastern Congo is vowing to crush the M23 rebels, who say they have taken control of the city of Goma.
“The chairman of SADC points out that SADC will assume its full responsibility and take action to deal with the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC. Those responsible for the situation should be held accountable.”
The Presidency announced on X that Ramaphosa had spoken with Rwandan President Paul Kagame to discuss the escalating conflict and the need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks. “President @CyrilRamaphosa held a telephone call with president @PaulKagame of Rwanda to discuss the recent developments in the Eastern DRC and the escalation in fighting that has resulted in the deaths of SAMIDRC peacekeepers. The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict,” the statement read.
President @CyrilRamaphosa held a telephone call with President @PaulKagame of Rwanda to discuss the recent developments in the Eastern DRC and the escalation in fighting that has resulted in the deaths of SAMIDRC peacekeepers.
The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) January 27, 2025
This conversation underscores the diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate the situation, a path Ramaphosa has consistently favoured over military solutions.
Magwenya elaborated that Ramaphosa has consistently advocated for a negotiated settlement, engaging with various regional leaders, including the presidents of Angola and Uganda, to foster peace talks. “So the president has never felt that the conflict would be resolved militarily, and that has always been his message to President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and other heads of state regarding this conflict,” Magwenya stated. He emphasised that the recent conversation with Kagame aimed to restart inclusive peace talks among all parties involved.
Addressing allegations of inadequate equipment and resources for SANDF troops, Magwenya stated that such reports are speculative. He highlighted that South Africa is part of a larger peacekeeping force, including troops from Malawi and Tanzania, and that the SAMIDRC’s mandate was always to support the Congolese army, not to fight alone.
“Remember that from the onset, the SAMIDRC, which is a SADC peacekeeping force, was never meant to be there fighting alone. It was there to support the Congolese army. It was never South Africa’s fight to battle alone, but it was always known and understood that this is a regional effort,” he explained.
The decision to withdraw, Magwenya reiterated, rests with the SADC. He cited the gradual withdrawal of South African troops from Mozambique after the SADC deemed the threat there significantly reduced. “So, similarly with the DRC, the SADC will have to direct on what the next steps should be with respect to their SAMIDRC mandate. It’s not for individual countries to decide on their own because they never went there on their own,” he stated.
While acknowledging Ramaphosa’s concern over the loss of life, Magwenya emphasised the President’s focus on diplomatic solutions to achieve a ceasefire and facilitate peace talks. “This is why he is putting an effort towards accelerating diplomatic means to get to a point where there are peace talks, there is a cessation of hostilities, and matters are then discussed and negotiated in a peaceful environment,” he said.
The international community is also weighing in. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola condemned the M23’s actions and Rwanda’s alleged support, calling for Rwanda to cease its support and withdraw its forces from the DRC. He urged the Congolese and Rwandan governments to resume talks under the Luanda Peace Process. The African Union Peace and Security Council also expressed its concern over the situation.
The ANC’s Fikile Mbalula called on the UN Security Council to act against those attacking UN peacekeepers, while DA leader John Steenhuisen offered condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.
Retired Major-General Les Rudman emphasised the need for adequate political support for the military, stating that if the government cannot guarantee the necessary support, it should not deploy soldiers into harm’s way.
A former senior SANDF officer, speaking anonymously, highlighted the lack of clear direction and proper assessment before the deployment, pointing to the presence of two forces under different commands (SAMIDRC and MONUSCO) as a source of confusion. He also noted the difficult geopolitical context, with Rwanda’s stance complicating the situation.
The deaths of the 13 SANDF soldiers have undeniably raised serious questions about South Africa’s involvement in the DRC. While Malema’s call for immediate withdrawal is understandable given the tragic loss of life, the reality is far more complex, involving regional alliances, international mandates, and the delicate balance between military action and diplomatic solutions. The path forward will require careful consideration of these multifaceted factors.
