Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has honored the 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), calling them “African heroes” who died protecting the defenseless.
The soldiers, part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the UN’s MONUSCO, were killed in violation of a ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda.
“They were killed in violation of a ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, facilitated by President João Lourenço of Angola. As a nation, we pay tribute to our fallen soldiers. They are South African and African heroes.
As a country, we have a duty of support towards the nations of Africa whose solidarity and material support helped secure our liberation. South Africa will not let up in its support to the people of the DRC so that they may have the peace and security they rightfully deserve.… pic.twitter.com/0239ObEybK
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 3, 2025
“They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless: the men, women and children who are the victims of one of the world’s most protracted conflicts,” Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter.
Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to peacekeeping efforts in Africa, citing the country’s history of involvement in conflict resolution across the continent.
He emphasised that instability in Africa affects all nations and that diplomacy remains the best path to peace in the DRC.
The president called for an immediate ceasefire and greater international cooperation to secure lasting stability in the region.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
