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South Africa: Lamola Speaks On Deployment of South Africa Troops to the DR Congo
SAnews.gov.za, 11 February 2025
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has dismissed the proposal to withdraw South African soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stating… Read more »
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Rwanda: Rwanda-DR Congo Border Crossings Surge to Over 30,000 After M23 Secures Goma
New Times, 11 February 2025
Rwanda and DR Congo's border towns of Rubavu and Goma, respectively, are experiencing a surge in cross-border movement of people and goods after AFC/M23 rebels secured the capital… Read more »
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South Africa: South African MPs Call for Inquiry Into Troop Deployment to DR Congo
New Times, 11 February 2025
South Africa's troop deployment in eastern DR Congo continues to raise dust at home with opposition political parties demanding a judicial commission of inquiry into South African… Read more »
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Congo-Kinshasa: Caught in the Crossfire - the Human Toll of Conflict in Eastern DRC
Africa Renewal, 10 February 2025
WFP calls for international intervention as displacement and hunger reach crisis levels Read more »
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Kenya: Ruto Pledges Strong Bilateral, Multilateral Ties in Diplomatic Address
Capital FM, 10 February 2025
Kenya is committed to forging strong and mutually beneficial bilateral and multilateral ties with nations and international organisations to ensure meaningful progress for Kenyans… Read more »
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Congo-Kinshasa: The Mirage of Freedom Will Not Be Solved By External Forces but By Congolese Themselves
New Times, 11 February 2025
The fall of Goma and the death of 18 SAMIDRC soldiers (14 of them from SANDF), who were fighting without a cause--did not just send shock waves but also conveyed strong messages. Read more »
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Southern Africa: Joint Summit Sets Highly Practical Route Map for Sorting Out Eastern DRC
The Herald, 11 February 2025
The Summit on Saturday bringing together SADC and the East African Community (EAC) was immensely practical in agreeing to effective action to fix the problems in the eastern… Read more »
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Central Africa: M23 Calls Out Congolese Forces As Cases of Violence, Abuse Emerge in South Kivu
New Times, 10 February 2025
The security situation in South Kivu of DR Congo has reportedly deteriorated amid reports of violence, looting, and abuses propagated by the Congolese army coalition including the… Read more »
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Southern Africa: M23 Rebels Demand SADC Troop Withdrawal
Nile Post, 9 February 2025
In an open letter dated February 8, 2025, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition that includes the March 23 Movement (M23), accused SADC of violating its Mutual Defence Pact… Read more »
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Congo-Kinshasa: Ramaphosa Backs Decision to Include M23 in DR Congo Peace Talks
New Times, 10 February 2025
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state summit held on Saturday,… Read more »
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South Africa: Defence Committee Want Answers from Ramaphosa on Delayed DR Congo Deployment Letter
Parliament of South Africa, 10 February 2025
The Joint Standing Committee on Defence seeks clarity on a delay in communication regarding the deployment and subsequent extension of the South African National Defence Force… Read more »
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Southern Africa: Eastern DRC - Unpacking the Difficult Task of Regional Diplomacy
Daily Maverick, 7 February 2025
As M23 continues its destructive march, the upcoming EAC-SADC summit must consider lessons from failed peace efforts. Read more »
South Africa Govt Rejects DR Congo Troop Withdrawal Proposal
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has firmly dismissed calls for South Africa to withdraw its soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), describing such a move as "worse than surrender".
This comes after 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers were killed in the eastern DRC, sparking debate in Parliament. Lamola said that an abrupt withdrawal would leave the region vulnerable to armed groups and undermine peace efforts. He said that the peacekeeping mission is part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission, which was endorsed by the African Union.
Lamola also praised recent SADC and East Africa Community (EAC) calls for a ceasefire and dialogue.
South Africa has about 3,000 troops deployed in the DR Congo, both as part of a UN peacekeeping mission and as part of a Southern African regional force tasked with supporting the country's army in its fight against M23.
InFocus
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President Paul Kagame has dismissed what South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said about the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing him of distorting Read more »
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Regional leaders from southern and eastern Africa convened in Tanzania's capital of Dar es Salaam over the weekend to discuss the escalating fighting in the east of the Democ Read more »
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The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between the M23 group and the Congolese army, supported by allies, has erupted in North Kivu and spread int Read more »
South African National Defense Force troops (file photo).
