South Africa Vows to Send More Troops to DRC After Soldiers Killed.
PRETORIA, South Africa - President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa will send more troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He made the announcement Monday after 14 South African soldiers died in recent attacks there.
The M23 rebel group and Rwandan forces are believed to be behind the attacks. They happened even though the DRC and Rwanda had agreed to a ceasefire.
"The UN Security Council strongly denounced the attack," Mr. Ramaphosa said. "Attacks on peacekeepers could be considered war crimes."
South Africa has soldiers in the DRC as part of a regional mission called SAMIDRC. They are also part of a UN peacekeeping force known as MONUSCO. Mr. Ramaphosa said South Africa remains committed to these deployments despite the dangers.
"We are taking steps to make sure our soldiers have the equipment and support they need," he stated. He said reinforcements will be sent to bolster the South African troops already there.
The president also urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces from the DRC immediately. He said this was necessary to respect the DRC's sovereignty. The UN Security Council has made the same demand.
However, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has reacted to South Africa's position. He claims South African forces are fighting in the DRC, not just peacekeeping. Mr. Kagame said his country is ready to confront South Africa over the matter if necessary.
Mr. Ramaphosa defended South Africa's military presence in the DRC. He argued that conflicts anywhere in Africa impact the entire continent.
"Violence in any African nation affects development prospects across Africa," he said. "South Africa has a long history of peacekeeping missions in many nations."
The president called for an immediate ceasefire in the DRC and said all groups involved in the fighting—government forces, rebel groups, and forces from other nations — need to engage in peace talks.
"Diplomacy offers the best path to lasting peace for the DRC and its people," Mr. Ramaphosa said. He pledged that South Africa will continue supporting the Congolese people until they have the peace and security they deserve.
PRETORIA, South Africa - President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa will send more troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He made the announcement Monday after 14 South African soldiers died in recent attacks there.
The M23 rebel group and Rwandan forces are believed to be behind the attacks. They happened even though the DRC and Rwanda had agreed to a ceasefire.
"The UN Security Council strongly denounced the attack," Mr. Ramaphosa said. "Attacks on peacekeepers could be considered war crimes."
South Africa has soldiers in the DRC as part of a regional mission called SAMIDRC. They are also part of a UN peacekeeping force known as MONUSCO. Mr. Ramaphosa said South Africa remains committed to these deployments despite the dangers.
"We are taking steps to make sure our soldiers have the equipment and support they need," he stated. He said reinforcements will be sent to bolster the South African troops already there.
The president also urged Rwanda to withdraw its forces from the DRC immediately. He said this was necessary to respect the DRC's sovereignty. The UN Security Council has made the same demand.
However, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has reacted to South Africa's position. He claims South African forces are fighting in the DRC, not just peacekeeping. Mr. Kagame said his country is ready to confront South Africa over the matter if necessary.
Mr. Ramaphosa defended South Africa's military presence in the DRC. He argued that conflicts anywhere in Africa impact the entire continent.
"Violence in any African nation affects development prospects across Africa," he said. "South Africa has a long history of peacekeeping missions in many nations."
The president called for an immediate ceasefire in the DRC and said all groups involved in the fighting—government forces, rebel groups, and forces from other nations — need to engage in peace talks.
"Diplomacy offers the best path to lasting peace for the DRC and its people," Mr. Ramaphosa said. He pledged that South Africa will continue supporting the Congolese people until they have the peace and security they deserve.
