President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed the extension of the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This move comes as part of South Africa’s commitment to the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO) and the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) efforts in the region.
The SANDF’s continued presence in the DRC, involving 1,198 personnel, is aimed at neutralising negative forces and restoring peace under Operation Mistral. This deployment, set from 16 April 2024 to 20 December 2024, is expected to cost approximately R805 million.
As MONUSCO prepares to exit the DRC by the end of 2024, the SANDF remains a significant contributor to the mission’s Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), which is unique in its offensive mandate within UN peacekeeping structures. South Africa ranks fifth among troop-contributing countries, with 1,144 military personnel.
The withdrawal of the East African Community (EAC) peacekeeping force has transitioned responsibilities to the SADC forces. The SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) will largely fill the void left by MONUSCO, with a 12-month mandate ending on 15 December 2024. The SAMIDRC force, expected to be 5,000-strong, will include a substantial contribution from South Africa under Operation Thiba, costing R2.37 billion.
Ramaphosa notified the National Assembly that he has extended the employment of 200 SANDF members “in order to counter the threat of piracy and other related illegal maritime activities along the Southern African coast of the Indian Ocean.”
He went on to state that, “members of the SANDF employed will continue with the responsibilities of countering the threat of piracy and other related illegal maritime activities under SADC MSS Operation Copper over the of period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.”
South Africa’s role in MONUSCO includes a battalion component of the FIB, a quick reaction force, an intelligence unit, and a combined helicopter unit equipped with Oryx and Rooivalk helicopters. Additionally, a level two SA Military Health Service facility operates in Goma.
Despite the efforts, concerns persist over the SAMIDRC’s ability to effectively control the region, given limitations in troop numbers, vehicles, intelligence, and air support. Recent engagements have resulted in casualties, highlighting the risks faced by the forces in the volatile eastern DRC.
SAMIDRC troops have already taken casualties, with two South African soldiers killed and three injured in an M23 mortar attack on 14 February, and three Tanzanian soldiers killed by rebel mortar fire on 8 April, with another three injured.
Also, in February last year, a South African Oryx helicopter came under attack in DRC. The combat support Oryx helicopter (UN 821) was operating in DR Congo as a MONUSCO asset, flying from Beni to Goma, North Kivu when it was hit by small arms fire on 5 February.
There is concern that SAMIDRC forces will not be able to dominate their environment as they lack troop numbers, vehicles, intelligence, and air support.
In maritime security, President Ramaphosa has extended the SANDF’s role in countering piracy and illegal activities in the Indian Ocean under Operation Copper. This operation, running from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, involves 200 SANDF members and will cost over R35 million.
The SADC Maritime Security Strategy aims to secure the busy shipping lanes off the southern African coast. However, challenges such as the South African Navy’s operational limitations have impacted the effectiveness of Operation Copper patrols.
The DRC government and MONUSCO have outlined a plan for the mission’s withdrawal, focusing on a gradual and responsible transition of responsibilities to the DRC government. This plan includes a quarterly evaluation to ensure stability and prevent the emergence of a security vacuum.
South Africa, with 1,144 military personnel, was number five on the top ten military contributing countries to MONUSCO. It, along with Malawi and Tanzania, make up the mission’s Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), the lone formation in the UN’s various peacekeeping structures to have an offensive clause in its mandate. Number one in troop contributing countries to MONUSCO is India (1 834) followed by Pakistan (1 767), Bangladesh (1 640) and Nepal (1 147) before South Africa in fifth place.
