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The conflict between the DRC government and rebel forces has intensified in recent weeks and has become the center of international attention. The escalated conflict has reportedly led to the deaths of over a hundred soldiers.
An abrupt withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is worse than a surrender due to the risk of ambush by numerous armed groups, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said.
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“Abrupt withdrawal as called upon by some in the house is not even a tactical retreat; it is even worse than a surrender, as with the number of armed groups in the area, there lies ambush,” Lamola said.
According to Lamola, following the joint SADC-EAC summit, there is now a clear path forward to resolve the conflict. He emphasized that Pretoria “cannot be a bystander” in this process.
On February 3, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he would not “let up” support for the DRC despite the losses.
At the end of January, 14 South African soldiers serving in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the SADC mission were killed in Goma during the M23 offensive. These soldiers had been deployed to the region since 2023.
On February 7, Malawi announced that it had begun withdrawing its troops from the eastern part of the DRC.
