President Cyril Ramaphosa says the process to repatriate the remains of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently is underway.

13 SANDF soldiers have been killed in clashes against M23 rebels.

Ramaphosa says all necessary support is being provided to the families of the deceased and injured soldiers. He has expressed condolences to their families and their colleagues.

Ramaphosa says fighting in the DRC has stopped for now, adding that he had a telephone conversation with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose forces are accused of supporting M23 fighters in seizing Congolese territory.

South Africa’s military presence in the DRC is part of SADC and UN peace efforts, aimed at protecting lives and supporting the DRC’s path to peace, stability, and development.

He says, “The attacks on peacekeepers resulted in the deaths of SAMIDRC members from other troop-contributing countries, namely, Malawi and Tanzania, as well members of the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) brigade. We honour all the lives that were lost and pass our condolences to their families, governments and citizens. The situation in Goma and Sake, where our troops and their counterparts are stationed, remains very tense, volatile and unpredictable.”

President Ramaphosa concerned about troops in Goma

Ramaphosa assures that SANDF soldiers are in a safe place and calls for the ceasefire to hold.

The President welcomes UN Security Council’s call for an end to hostilities, M23 withdrawal, external forces’ exit, and resumed peace talks in the DRC.

“We call on all parties to this conflict to fully embrace the current diplomatic efforts that are aimed at finding a peaceful resolution, including honoring the Luanda Process agreements.”