By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The South African President on Thursday attended the repatriation ceremony for the 14 soldiers from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last month in the ongoing conflict between the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and DRC-led security forces.
In his address to the families of the deceased and the nation at Air Force Base Mobile Deployment Wing, Cyril Ramaphosa extended condolences to the families of the South African soldiers, as well as the four Tanzanian and Malawian soldiers who also died in fighting around the DRC region of Goma last month.
“Our nation is in mourning for these brave souls who lost their lives in defence of our brothers and sisters in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Ramaphosa said. “They lost their lives in the name of duty, in pursuit of peace, and in the cause of silencing the guns across our beloved continent, Africa. They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless.”
“We have fulfilled our duty to bring our soldiers home,” the President said, adding, “we must fulfil our duty to complete their mission.”
Ramaphosa thanked the Ministry of Defence and the leadership of the SANDF for making every effort to repatriate the remains of the fallen troops to their families. “Our thanks go to the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community, and other governments for their assistance.”
The Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, had earlier hinted that the bodies of the slain soldiers would be returned on 5 February, but it was only later that the United Nations organised for the deceased South African, Tanzanian, and Malawian soldiers to be moved from Goma to Uganda for pathology and other processes before being flown home. They were repatriated by a Tanzanian Air Force Y-8 transport aircraft on Wednesday.
“This was an operation involving considerable logistical challenges at a time when the security situation in the eastern DRC remains volatile,” Ramaphosa said.
Referring to South Africa’s contribution to the UN and SAMIDRC missions in the DRC, Ramaphosa said, “this solemn occasion is a stark reminder of the great cost of building peace, often paid in the lives of our finest. And yet peace is an ideal for which we will forever strive.”
“As a troop-contributing country to the SADC Mission in the DRC and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa remains firmly committed to supporting all processes to bring this terrible conflict to an end.
“We are encouraged by the outcomes of last week’s joint summit of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, which resolved to prioritise a political solution to the crisis in the eastern DRC. South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, for a cessation of hostilities, and for all the warring parties to resume inclusive negotiations.”
Ramaphosa said the fallen soldiers answered the Congolese people’s cry for protection, an end to war, and dignity. “As Africans, we are one people. When one part of Africa bleeds, we feel its pain.”
“To the families, we say, take comfort that they were heroes. Their work in the DRC was not just about maintaining order. It was about building bridges, fostering understanding, and creating pathways to lasting peace.”
Ramaphosa did not explain what South Africa’s strategy in the DRC now is, considering Goma has fallen and many of its soldiers remain under rebel control. However, he did say, “we will not weaken in our resolve to realise the vision of an Africa free from war and conflict; an Africa free of poverty and underdevelopment; and an Africa at peace with itself and the world. The achievement of this vision is the most fitting tribute we can pay to our fallen heroes and the greatest honour to their memory.”
