South African President Reinforces Dedication to Peace in Congo
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Synopsis
On February 15, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa honored 14 soldiers who died in the DRC, emphasizing his commitment to peace in the region. He highlighted recent regional meetings aimed at resolving the conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire and inclusive negotiations among warring factions.
Key Takeaways
- 14 South African soldiers honored for their sacrifice.
- Ramaphosa reaffirms commitment to peace in the DRC.
- Recent regional meetings show promise for conflict resolution.
- Call for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations.
- Kavumu Airport now under control of M23 rebels.
Johannesburg, Feb 15 (NationPress) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa honored the memory of 14 South African soldiers who tragically lost their lives in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last month, reaffirming his dedication to resolving the ongoing conflict in Africa's second-largest nation.
During the transfer ceremony and memorial service held at Swartkop Air Force Base in Gauteng Province, Ramaphosa remarked that the soldiers perished "in defence of the defenceless" and in the quest to silence the guns across the continent.
"This evening, we gather here with profound sorrow. Our nation mourns these courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives for our brothers and sisters in the eastern DRC," he stated.
The 14 soldiers, who were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC, were killed by the March 23 Movement rebels in January. Their remains returned to South Africa on Wednesday night.
Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa remains committed to fostering peace in the DRC, noting that recent discussions among southern and eastern African nations have been promising.
"South Africa is steadfast in backing all initiatives aimed at ending this devastating conflict," he asserted.
"We are heartened by the outcomes of last week’s joint summit involving the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, which prioritized a political resolution to the crisis in the eastern DRC."
He reiterated South Africa's call for an immediate ceasefire, ending hostilities, and resuming inclusive negotiations among all combatant factions, as reported by Xinhua.
On February 14, the M23 armed group declared that it had taken control of Kavumu Airport in South Kivu Province, eastern DRC.
"Kavumu Airport posed a threat to the civilian population in the liberated zones and our positions. From now on, Kavumu and its vicinity, including the airport, are securely under our control," stated Laurence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the group, in a post on X.
Kavumu Airport, situated approximately 30 km from Bukavu, the provincial capital, served as a vital hub for humanitarian and military operations. Local sources indicate that Congolese forces withdrew critical equipment before the airport fell under M23's control.
