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South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are “practically prisoners of war,” a leading defence analyst has claimed.
The soldiers, who are part of a Southern African Development Community peacekeeping force, are currently confined to their bases in the towns of Goma and Sake, both of which are under the control of M23 rebels.
Kobus Marais, a defence analyst and former DA shadow minister of Defence, said that the crisis now means that “for all practical purposes, they are prisoners of war.”
Earlier this week, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) denied that the soldiers were being held captive or hostage by the M23 rebels or that they were experiencing food shortages.
A SANDF spokesman said that no SANDF troops were starving, have been disarmed, or are being held hostage.
In an interview with National Security News, Marais said the soldiers’ lack of mobility’ and dependence on the M23 rebels for supplies places them in a challenging position.
He criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for not acknowledging the severity of the situation and for his lack of leadership in finding a solution to the conflict in the eastern DRC.
Regarding recent flights from Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, Marais speculates that they carry logistical support and there could be soldiers on board. But he added that aircraft have not reached Goma due to M23’s control.
South Africa cannot fly into Sake or Goma—areas controlled by the M23 rebels—for an evacuation, said Marais. “I cannot see how that can be done without putting the lives of those soldiers at risk,” he added.
President Ramaphosa won’t acknowledge the severity of the situation
Marais expressed disappointment that the South African government has refused to negotiate with the M23 rebels for the release of the South African soldiers. He said that Ramaphosa has lost credibility as a mediator as Angola’s president, João Lourenço, is leading regional negotiations.
Marais criticises South Africa’s decision-making, implying it is prioritising political relationships in the African Union or SADC over soldiers’ welfare.
“I think there are people with so many vested interests that maybe, for them, it is not in their best interest that this war is resolved and peace—real peace in the true sense of the word—is created. So yes, we are still in a huge predicament, which must be absolutely sad and difficult for their families back at home.”
Marais also said that it is not only the lives of soldiers that are impacted, but also the livelihood of many of the South African soldiers’ families back home.
President Ramaphosa said earlier this week that he remains committed to South Africa’s military presence in the DRC.
Marais criticism comes as the alliance of rebel groups in the eastern DRC which includes the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels announced a unilateral ceasefire citing “humanitarian reasons” after capturing territory in eastern parts of the country.
