1 year old babies raped in DRC as trapped and surrounded SANDF troops now desperately want to return home… Air Zimbabwe brings 127 soldiers home

Johannesburg – A devastating report from UNICEF has revealed the horrific scale of sexual violence against children, including infants as young as one year old, amidst the ongoing civil war in Sudan. This appalling revelation coincides with growing concerns over the safety and well-being of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), prompting a complex and politically charged withdrawal.

Sudan: A Generation Scarred by Sexual Violence

UNICEF’s report paints a harrowing picture of the impact of the Sudanese conflict on its most vulnerable citizens. While mass sexual violence has been widely documented as a weapon of war in Sudan, this is the first detailed account focusing specifically on the abuse of young children. The report reveals that at least 221 cases of rape against children have been officially reported since the start of 2024, but the true number is likely far higher due to societal stigma and fear of retribution.

Perhaps the most shocking revelation is that 16 of the victims were under the age of five, including four infants. A third of the victims were boys, who face “unique challenges” in reporting such crimes and seeking help.

The report underscores the dire situation in Sudan, a socially conservative country where survivors and their families are often silenced by stigma and the threat of violence. The vast number of people displaced by the war has further increased the vulnerability of women and children. The devastating outcome of these crimes is aggravated by the fact that victims have few places to turn for medical help, as many facilities have been destroyed, looted, or occupied by the warring parties.

“After nine at night, someone opens the door, carrying a whip, selects one of the girls, and takes her to another room. I could hear the little girl crying and screaming. They were raping her,” recalls Omnia (not her real name), an adult female survivor who was held by armed men in a room with other women and girls. “Every time they raped her, this girl would come back covered in blood. She is still just a young child. They only release these girls at dawn, and they return almost unconscious. Each of them cries and speaks incoherently. During the 19 days I spent there, I reached a point where I wanted to end my life.”

UNICEF has been providing safe spaces for children through a network of local activists who have set up Emergency Response Rooms to deal with the crises in their communities. However, recent cuts in US aid have forced many of these vital services to shut down.

Sulaima Elkhalifa, a Sudanese human rights defender who runs a government unit on combatting violence against women, highlighted the critical role of local organisations led by women in supporting survivors of sexual violence. She noted that these organisations receive less than 2% of the total funding of the UN’s Sudan Humanitarian Fund. “Those who have been raped by armed men ‘don’t have the luxury of being depressed,'” she told the BBC. “The demands of war – finding food, needing to flee – leave no space to deal with trauma.”

SANDF in the DRC: A Mission Fraught with Challenges

Against this backdrop of regional instability, South Africa is grappling with the complexities of its military involvement in the DRC. The deployment of SANDF troops as part of SAMIDRC, intended to support the DRC government in restoring peace and security in the eastern region, has been met with significant challenges and mounting criticism.

Reports have surfaced indicating that SANDF soldiers deployed in the DRC are facing dire conditions, including shortages of food and essential supplies. This has led to a sense of desperation among the troops, with many expressing a desire to return home.

Army union SANDU has been receiving similar messages of distress from soldiers in the DRC. “They are not safe, the situation is too volatile, the truth of the matter is, they are now bargaining chips in a greater scheme of things, especially because they are surrounded, there is no way of getting them out there to extract them especially in a military sense,” says Pikkie Greeff from SANDU.

These concerns have been amplified by the recent deaths of fourteen South African soldiers in combat against the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The conflict has exposed the SANDF to significant challenges, including reports of soldiers waving a white flag, a symbol of surrender. While the SANDF has vehemently denied these claims, the reality on the ground paints a grim picture: South African soldiers surrounded by hostile forces in their bases around Goma, were trapped and reportedly facing shortages of weapons.

The SANDF’s presence in the DRC is part of SAMIDRC, which includes troops from Malawi and Tanzania, and is aligned with the UN peacekeeping mission Monusco. The deployment, approved by SADC in May 2023, aims to support the DRC government in restoring peace and security in the eastern region, a mandate that implies a more robust role than traditional peacekeeping.

However, questions have been raised about the preparedness and equipment of the South African troops. Critics have labelled the deployment “suicidal,” citing budget cuts, resource limitations, and the complex nature of the conflict. While South African soldiers possess valuable experience from previous missions, concerns remain about their current level of readiness.

The challenges are compounded by the presence of over 100 armed groups and the difficult terrain. The SANDF’s reliance on aging equipment, coupled with shortages due to maintenance issues, has further hampered their effectiveness. The lack of essential resources, including adequate air support, attack helicopters, and modern equipment, has limited the SANDF’s ability to respond effectively to threats. The inability to deploy Gripen and Rooivalk helicopters due to maintenance issues has been a significant disadvantage. Furthermore, the SADC mission, authorised for 5,000 troops, has fallen short, with only about 1,300 deployed as of late January 2025.

Controversial Troop Withdrawal and Geopolitical Tensions

The repatriation of injured SANDF soldiers from the DRC has been further complicated by the deteriorating relationship between South Africa and Rwanda. The injured soldiers were transported via Kigali, Rwanda, a move that has raised eyebrows given the escalating tensions between the two countries.

Tensions escalated following the deaths of the South African soldiers, with President Ramaphosa publicly condemning the M23 rebels and warning that further attacks would be considered a “declaration of war.” But he had also labeled Rwandan forces as ‘militia’, something that angered the Rwandan leader.

President Kagame responded sharply, accusing South Africa of involvement in offensive operations against the Congolese people, rather than peacekeeping. The historical context of strained relations is older, and dates back to the 2014 expulsion of diplomats.

The South African leader, in an attempt to de-escalate, stated that he had spoken with his Rwandan counterpart about the need for a ceasefire and peace talks, emphasising that South African troops were not engaging in acts of war. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, however, reiterated that any attacks on South African soldiers would be taken seriously.

President Kagame, in his rebuttal, denied any involvement in attacks on South African troops, calling the accusations “lies” and asserting that the Rwandan Defence Force was a professional army, not a militia. He also claimed that President Ramaphosa had not issued any warnings and described the South African troops as part of a “belligerent force.”

Despite the escalating rhetoric, South African soldiers continued their return journey via Rwanda, a move that underscored the complex geopolitical landscape.

Economic Dimensions and Allegations of Personal Interests

The economic dimensions of the conflict have also come under scrutiny. Allegations of President Ramaphosa’s personal interests in mining companies operating in the DRC have been raised, with Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo calling for transparency. While the South African government denies any economic motivations, the potential impact on South African businesses and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is undeniable. The DRC’s new regulations regarding transformation and localisation laws have also affected South African companies operating in the region. These regulations require foreign companies to work with local partners, impacting mining and geological firms.

The Return Home: A Nation Grapples with the Cost of Conflict

SANDF has confirmed the return of 127 injured personnel from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala announced that four soldiers remain in critical condition, while 27 are moderately injured and receiving treatment at military hospitals. An additional 106 personnel are undergoing psychosocial debriefing.

But due to failure to maintain the South African air fleet, the soldiers had to be evacuated on Air Zimbabwe’s Boeing 767-200. The Zimbabwean aircraft, chartered under Mont Gabon Airlines, carried injured troops from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, showcasing the desperation of the South African military as it had to rely on Zimbabwe’s beleaguered national carrier.

Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono celebrated the little mission in glowing terms, with the country having little else to boast about. He added that the aircraft operated as a shuttle ambulance service, ferrying wounded soldiers from Kigali, where they had been transported from the conflict zone of Goma—a city rendered inaccessible to aircraft due to the recent M23 victory over the strategically important town.