President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that a negotiated settlement in the DRC will remain critical in ensuring sustained peace and the withdrawal of troops.
Image: Picture: File
President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa remains committed to work with fellow SADC countries towards an inclusive negotiated peace settlement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ramaphosa on Tuesday provided an update on the ongoing precarious situation of South African troops stationed in the eastern DRC.
Ramaphosa said the cessation of hostilities was holding through the various summits and meetings by chiefs of defence, ministers and heads of states.
Fourteen SANDF soldiers were killed in the region after clashes with Rwandan backed M23 Rebels.
“We are hoping to consolidate that and hold further movements by any of the armies that are surging forward.
“There will be a meeting of SADC (Southern African Development Community) followed by East Africa Community and SADC and we are hoping we will be able to have a more durable cessation that will lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities,” he said.
Ramaphosa made the statement when he was responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on the current status of the process of the unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in the DRC.
He said meetings were underway and further engagements were planned to take place, facilitated through former and current heads of states.
“They will go on and will have a positive bearing on what now needs to happen in the DRC going forward. We are intent on ensuring that peace is installed in the eastern DRC so that displacement and deaths of people should cease and in the end our troops should come home.”
Ramaphosa said South Africa remained committed to work with fellow SADC countries towards an inclusive negotiated peace settlement.
“Working through other countries through SADC we are assured decisions that are taken to ensure there is peace and durable ceasefire in DRC will enhance the proper cessation of hostilities that will lead in the end to the withdrawal of various troops from troop contributing counties,” he said.
Asked when South African troops would be withdrawn from DRC, where they were encircled by M23 armed forces and when he will inform the nation about the troops there, Ramaphosa said information has been shared by Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga on the situation of troops in Sake and Goma.
“They are in a precarious situation right now,” he said adding that the SANDF is located at Goma Airport.
“The discussion that are ongoing now are aimed at ensuring we have durable cessation of hostilities.”
Ramaphosa stated that the challenges had meant discussions with various armies including M23 about a variety of issues including logistics, movement of food, supplies, water and electricity.
“All of that has been happening on an interactive basis. We are hopeful that once peace has ensued we will in the end get our troops home as other nations yearn for the end of hostilities so that their own troops should go home," he added.
Ramaphosa said South Africa has been saying all along that a negotiated settlement will be the precursor to ensure there was cessation of hostilities and then SANDF troops can return home.
Cape Times