Lamola
By Lerato Mpembe
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has dismissed the proposal to withdraw South African soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stating that this action would be worse than surrender.
Addressing Parliament during an urgent debate on the deployment of South African troops to the DRC, Lamola responded to calls for an immediate withdrawal following the deaths of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in the eastern part of the DRC. Families are currently awaiting the repatriation of their loved ones.
“Abrupt withdrawal, as called upon by some in the House, is not even a tactical retreat; it is even worse than a surrender, as with the number of armed groups in the area, there lies ambush,” Lamola asserted.He emphasised that an immediate pullout would endanger remaining troops and undermine regional stability. Lamola highlighted the presence of approximately 150 armed groups in the eastern DRC, suggesting that a hasty exit could lead to ambushes and further casualties.
South Africa’s Commitment to Regional Peacekeeping
The Minister reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to its peacekeeping mission in the DRC, which operates under the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). This mission aims to restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.
Lamola also welcomed the recent joint summit between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), where leaders called for a ceasefire and dialogue in the DRC. He noted that the summit clarified the way forward regarding the conflict in the eastern DRC.
“Recognising that a peaceful Africa is crucial for the economic and social development of the continent, we participated in a lot of peace missions in the continent, in Sudan, Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Sudan, and so on to silence the guns in line with Vision 2063,” Lamola told Members of Parliament (MPs).He highlighted South Africa’s historical involvement in peace efforts, including the 2001 Sun City talks, which led to a new constitutional order and nearly two decades of peace in the DRC.
“We have been involved in state-building and peace-building efforts,” he added.According to Lamola, the DRC is more peaceful now than before, with the conflict confined to an isolated region. He cautioned against the notion of abandoning African conflicts, stating:
“To suggest that we should not resolve conflicts in Africa, regardless of their origin, is simplistic and profoundly naïve. Such a stance reflects a disturbing ignorance of the complexities and implications of neglecting these critical situations.”He warned that failure to act would undermine peace, security, and economic prosperity, noting that South Africa is one of the leading countries on the continent in receiving refugees fleeing conflict zones.
Honouring the Fallen Soldiers
Lamola took time to honour the country’s fallen heroes, as well as members of the Malawian, Tanzanian, and Uruguayan defence forces.
“It is not a tragedy that has only befallen our defence force; it has befallen both the United Nations mission and the SADC mission,” he added.The Minister’s remarks come amid a complex and evolving situation in the eastern DRC. The region has been plagued by violence from various armed groups, including the M23 rebels, who have been accused of receiving support from neighbouring Rwanda. The conflict has led to significant casualties and displacement of civilians.
The SADC-EAC Summit on the DRC Conflict
At a recent summit in Dar es Salaam, leaders from eastern and southern Africa called for an immediate ceasefire and direct negotiations between the Congolese government and the M23 rebels. Despite Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi’s refusal to negotiate with the Rwanda-backed rebels, the summit emphasised the need for dialogue with all parties to address the conflict.
The summit included participants from the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, with notable attendees such as Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Kagame criticised the deployment of SADC troops in Congo, which he claimed has exacerbated the conflict.
The summit stressed the need for peace talks and called for the withdrawal of foreign armed groups and the reopening of Goma’s airport to facilitate humanitarian aid.
The Security Crisis in Eastern DRC
The Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, expressed willingness for direct negotiations with the government. However, the rebels and their allies face pressure to pull out of Goma. In addition to calling for the immediate reopening of the airport in Goma, the summit also called for the drawing of “modalities for withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed groups” from Congolese territory.
The conflict in the eastern DRC has deep historical roots, with tensions often spilling over into neighbouring countries. The involvement of regional powers and the presence of valuable natural resources have further complicated the situation.
South Africa’s involvement in the DRC is part of its broader commitment to promoting peace and stability on the African continent. The country has a long history of participating in peacekeeping missions and has often played a mediating role in regional conflicts.
National Debate Over South Africa’s Role in the DRC
The deaths of the 14 SANDF soldiers have sparked a national debate about South Africa’s role in the DRC. Some opposition parties have called for an immediate withdrawal of troops, arguing that the mission has become too costly and dangerous.
However, Lamola and other government officials have argued that withdrawing would not only endanger the remaining troops but also undermine regional stability. They contend that South Africa has a responsibility to support peace efforts in the DRC and that abandoning the mission would have far-reaching consequences.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, with many hoping that the recent calls for dialogue will lead to meaningful progress.
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