SHIRLEY DE VILLIERS: South African soldiers left in the lurch
Essential equipment and support are in short supply for the country’s troops in the DRC as resources fall short and political will seems to be absent
In late March, veteran defence correspondent Erika Gibson wrote about the parlous conditions facing South Africa’s soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Deployed to the war-torn east of the country as part of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), they’re there to neutralise the M23 rebel group. The group is a formidable force — and not just because it’s familiar with the terrain. The UN has documented how the Rwandan army supports the M23 with troops and military equipment, including surface-to-air missiles (Rwanda denies providing anything other than political support). More recently, a UN panel of experts also implicated Uganda in providing clandestine backing to the M23. So it’s no rag-tag group of rebels then...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
This article is free to read if you sign up or sign in.
If you have already registered or subscribed, please sign in to continue.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.