By Zukile Majova
- Presidents Ramaphosa and Kagame work together for peace after M23 rebels kill 13 South African soldiers.
- Both leaders push for an urgent ceasefire in DRC as the UN demands all foreign forces leave the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame are working together to bring peace to the eastern DRC after rebels killed 13 South African soldiers.
The two presidents spoke on the phone this week following the deaths of South African soldiers who were serving as peacekeepers in the DRC.
“The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict,” said Ramaphosa’s office in a statement.
Ramaphosa spoke to the nation about the fallen soldiers: “On behalf of the government and the people of our country, I express our sincerest condolences to their families, their loved ones, and colleagues. We bow our heads in honour of their heroic and gallant fight for peace.”
He promised that the families of the dead and injured soldiers would get all the help they need. Work has started to bring the bodies home.
The president said Defence Minister Thandi Modise and SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya were making sure the remaining troops had proper equipment.
But the DA blamed Ramaphosa and Modise for not protecting the soldiers properly.
“Despite these warnings, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise have failed to ensure that our soldiers are adequately equipped and supported to face the dangers on the ground,” the party said.
The UN Security Council wants all fighting to stop. It has ordered M23 rebels to give back captured territory and for all foreign forces to leave the DRC.
It also wants peace talks to start again under the Nairobi Process.
Pictured above: South African soldiers.
Source: SANDF
