Agreement reached for South African soldier withdrawal from DRC, but potential obstacles loom
The SADC mission was supposedly intended to neutralise M23, yet it was instead neutralised by M23. If that isn’t a failure, I don’t know what is. So, at the mission level and the national level, it’s a defeat.
“Rebel groups in Africa have better equipment than SANDF,” says defence analyst as precarious state of Air Force is revealed
South Africa’s defence capabilities have reached a critical low raising serious concerns about the nation’s ability to defend itself, protect its 3,000 km coastline, manage its land borders, and provide regional stability.
Geopolitical tensions and tariffs hamper mining investment, says industry leader Mark Cutifani
Many commodity traders were caught off guard by the strength and conviction of the Trump administration in using tariffs as a tool to manage a whole range of issues.
South African political influencer groups expand ‘rage bait’ tactics across Africa
The year-long ISS study found that key figures in South Africa’s influence industry were engaged in transnational coordinated campaigns.
Disastrous DRC Mission: SADC was outgunned and outmanoeuvred by M23 Rebels and Rwanda, lacked cohesion
South Africa appeared primarily motivated by economic factors and a desire to preserve its regional prestige, despite lacking the required military capabilities.
Washington think tank calls for sanctions against ANC officials for ‘treating the US like an enemy’
Current measures against South Africa are insufficient to alter the country’s hostile treatment of the U.S. Meservey calls for sanctions against ANC officials.
US punitive measures against South Africa “could impoverish the middle class”
If the US imposes tariffs on South African vehicle exports, agricultural products, or other measures, “the rand will tank, inflation will rise, [and] we will have to respond with higher interest rates. There’s nothing that impoverishes a middle class like high interest rates, says Dr. Piet Croukamp.
South Africa to abandon ‘disastrous’ DRC mission, withdraw troops
The deployment of South African troops in the DRC was “a total disaster and totally unsustainable,” according to defence analyst Kobus Marais.
How Ramaphosa could leverage Simon’s Town, a strategic asset in a heating geopolitical arena
South Africa should adopt a neutral stance in the escalating maritime geopolitical environment and follow the example of India and Brazil, which are core members of BRICS but ‘are playing both sides very nicely.’
South Africa’s DRC Mission: African Defence Force Representatives call it a ‘dilemma and untenable’
Ramaphosa’s government should “swallow their pride and start negotiations with Rwanda and the M23 rebels for their release. “It must be humiliating for our soldiers, and their well-being should be the government’s priority.”
