South African soldiers in the DRC are expressing urgency to return home due to a lack of food and support amid the failure of their mission against M23 rebels. Communication reveals they are in a precarious situation, with calls for their withdrawal intensifying. Experts criticize the current operation and advocate for the safe extraction of troops.
South African troops stationed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC) are facing severe challenges and expressing a strong desire to return home. Reports indicate that over a thousand soldiers in Goma are in a vulnerable state, running low on food and other essential supplies. Calls from various sectors have intensified, urging the South African government to withdraw its forces due to the mission’s evident failure.
The distress messages from the soldiers highlight a disconcerting lack of support from the South African authorities. According to the South African National Defence Union (Sandu), the troops are struggling with inadequate provisions and unsafe conditions. Pikkie Greeff, Sandu’s National Secretary, noted the perilous environment, stating, “The truth of the matter is, they are now bargaining chips in a greater scheme of things.”
Defence and security experts argue that the South African government should reconsider its involvement in the DRC, as the legitimacy of the mission has come under scrutiny. The South African National Defence Forces are currently aiding the Congolese army against the M23 rebels, alongside contributions from troops from Tanzania and Malawi. However, the coalition’s efforts to combat the M23 have proven ineffective, particularly as Goma and Bukavu have fallen to the rebels.
Recently, close to 200 soldiers from the SAMIDRC were repatriated after sustaining injuries during combat. Amid these challenges, concerns over troop safety have escalated, particularly following the deaths of 14 South African soldiers and numerous injuries reported earlier this year. Experts like John Supard advocate for a withdrawal, recommending that South Africa should prioritize the safe extraction of its troops from the conflict zone.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga previously asserted that the South African troops had adequate military resources to engage with M23 rebels. Despite this, the dire situation on the ground raises significant questions regarding the mission’s efficacy and the welfare of South African soldiers in the DRC, with Malawi’s president already ordering a withdrawal of his country’s troops.
The circumstances of South African troops in the DRC reflect a dire humanitarian and tactical situation warranting urgent action. The acute lack of support and escalating hostilities has prompted military analysts and organizations to call for a strategic withdrawal. The safety and well-being of these soldiers must now take precedence as ongoing challenges compromise their mission’s efficacy.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
