South African soldiers deployed in eastern DRC are facing severe shortages of food and supplies, leading to cries for repatriation. Growing military and public pressure is urging the South African government to withdraw troops, as their mission has proven ineffective amidst escalating violence from M23 rebels. Analysts emphasize the need for South Africa to reassess its military involvement in this unstable region.
South African soldiers stationed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC) find themselves in a precarious position and are eager to return home. Reports indicate that these troops, numbering over a thousand in Goma, are facing severe shortages of food and essential supplies, prompting their pleas for repatriation. The prevailing sentiment among the soldiers is one of desperation as they navigate a volatile and unsafe environment.
The growing discontent has led to increased demands from the South African public and military experts for the government’s immediate withdrawal of troops from the DRC. This call for withdrawal is fueled by the acknowledgment that the mission is faltering, with military sources revealing that communication from troops highlights a lack of adequate support from South African authorities. The South African National Defence Union (Sandu) is reportedly receiving distress signals from soldiers who feel abandoned and threatened.
According to Mr. Pikkie Greeff, Sandu’s National Secretary, the troops are essentially being used as bargaining chips within a larger political context. He expressed concerns about their safety, emphasizing that extraction of the troops is currently unfeasible due to the surrounding hostile forces. The situation has highlighted the questionable nature of the SAMIDRC mandate, as South Africa is urged to reassess its military involvement in a region plagued by conflict.
While the South African troops collaborate with various regional forces to combat the M23 rebels, their mission’s ineffectiveness is evident. Despite attempts to bolster the Congolese army, the M23 continues to assert control over significant territories, including Goma. Recent reports cited that nearly 200 SAMIDRC soldiers requiring medical attention were repatriated through Rwanda, amid a backdrop of escalating tensions and rising casualties among the troops.
The situation for South African forces in the DRC gained attention following the deaths of 14 soldiers in January and the injury of many others. As pressures mount, some defense analysts, such as John Supard, argue that South Africa must acknowledge the current state of affairs, take necessary losses, and facilitate the safe return of its soldiers. The country’s Defense Minister had previously assured Parliament of the sufficiency of military resources, including equipment and ammunition, for the mission, which now appears to be a disillusioned expectation.
The plight of South African soldiers in the DRC underscores serious operational challenges, including food shortages and inadequate support from home. The escalating calls for withdrawal highlight the deteriorating effectiveness of the SAMIDRC mission and the urgent need for a reassessment of South Africa’s military role. As casualties rise and regional tensions continue, a decisive action for repatriation seems increasingly necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the troops.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
