South African government refutes claims of 'undetected' M23 rebels at peace dialogue

THE International Relations and Cooperation Ministry (Dirco) says the claim that an M23 rebel group entered South Africa "does not imply that any individual's entry went undetected”.

The department responded after former Dirco deputy minister Marius Fransman sharply criticised the government following revelations that representatives of the sanctioned M23 rebel group recently attended a high-level African peace dialogue in Magaliesburg, Gauteng, without proper vetting or detection.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Fransman called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Lamola to issue a public apology, warning that South Africa’s credibility on the continent is at stake.

M23 rebels were recently accused by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) of killing at least 140 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in July in one of the worst atrocities by the armed group since its resurgence in late 2021. However the Rwanda-backed rebels denied the allegations, and in turn accused the HRW of "falsifying" its report and being an "instrument of propaganda" for the government.

The group was also suspected of being at the centre of the fighting that claimed the lives of 14 of soldiers who were part of a peacekeeping mission in the DRC earlier this year.

In response to the criticism, Dirco Spokesperson Chrisphin Phiri told IOL that the claim that the M23 delegation gained access to the country "does not imply that any individual's entry went undetected”.

“The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation notes reports and headlines regarding the 2nd Annual Peace and Security Dialogue hosted by the Former President Thabo Mbeki Foundation.

“While the details of participant lists for such dialogues fall outside the Minister’s purview - as event hosts are not required to disclose attendees - this does not imply that any individual's entry into South Africa went undetected.”

He said that the country's border management and screening protocols operate according to international law and domestic immigration policies.

Phiri added that the Ministry continues to support inclusive dialogue as a necessary means to advance peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.

Cape Times