Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to ensure stability and protect the well-being of its people.
Following a joint summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), leaders called for immediate ceasefire and direct negotiations, including with M23 rebels.
Ramaphosa emphasised diplomacy as the key to ending the decades-long conflict, while also acknowledging South Africa’s role in peacekeeping efforts.
“South Africa stands in solidarity with the Congolese people and their aspiration to live in peace and security.
“We reaffirm our commitment to a diplomatic and political solution that prioritises the stability of the DRC and neighbouring countries and safeguards the peace and well-being of the Congolese people,” the President said on Monday in his weekly newsletter.
The summit underscored the need for uninvited foreign armed forces to withdraw and reaffirmed the sovereignty of the DRC.
We reaffirm our commitment to a diplomatic and political solution that prioritises the stability of the DRC and neighbouring countries, and safeguards the peace and well-being of the Congolese people.
🔗 https://t.co/FxHdDtWJYX pic.twitter.com/83j7dgXrEx
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 10, 2025
South Africa deploys troops to both the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (Monusco) and the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
Recently, 14 SANDF soldiers lost their lives while working to restore peace, highlighting the growing intensity of the conflict alongside casualties from other African forces.
“As South Africa we have steadfastly maintained that diplomacy is the most sustainable solution to this conflict. While we are involved in peacekeeping missions, South Africa actively participates in the various diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in the eastern DRC,” he said.
Ramaphosa added: “As South Africa, we have always believed that the best way to resolve a conflict is to ensure that all parties to the conflict are involved in the negotiations that lead to the resolution of the conflict, whether they are state actors or non-state actors.
“We are pleased that this approach was adopted and reconfirmed at the SADC extraordinary summit held in Harare, Zimbabwe, two weeks ago.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
