DA slams South Africa’s military adventure in the Congo
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DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Kobus Marais has issued a statement critical of South Africa’s recent deployment to the Kivu Provinces of the Eastern Congo.
The mission, which comes on the back of the UN missions departure, is a pivot toward a new operational purpose – the elimination of Rwandan proxies.
The decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) military intervention has been criticized by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA, South Africa’s opposition party, contends that this move is reckless and jeopardizes the safety of the uniformed forces involved.
The party urges President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief, to reconsider and recall the troops after the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) obligations conclude.
Reports indicate that the SANDF was deployed on December 13, 2023, to lead a SADC military mission in eastern DRC, replacing the UN’s MONUSCO after its 20-year deployment. The SANDF is expected to collaborate with the DRC’s national security forces to combat the M23 rebels.
The DA argues that the SANDF lacks the capacity and essential equipment for an effective anti-insurgency campaign against the M23 rebels. Key concerns include the absence of Rooivalk helicopters, with only two Oryx likely available during the DRC deployment. Military experts emphasize the need for proper air cover, transport, and air elements in hostile terrain.
The familiarity of the M23 rebels with the eastern DRC’s terrain poses a significant risk, potentially rendering the intervention force vulnerable to guerrilla tactics. The DA contends that political expediency should not override the sober assessment of the deteriorated state of military capabilities.
The party asserts that pursuing military interventions should not come at the expense of the welfare of troops and ordinary South Africans. The DA strongly opposes what it views as a reckless deployment, emphasizing the need to prioritize the nation’s integrity and the safety of its citizens.
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