President Cyril Ramaphosa has come under heavy criticism for his lack of clarity on the deployment of South African troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). The controversy centers around the absence of any real explanation regarding the status of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers stranded in Goma after clashes with rebels. These deadly skirmishes resulted in the tragic loss of at least 14 South African troops, and the government has yet to confirm when their bodies will be repatriated, with reports indicating that the remains of the fallen soldiers are being kept in poor conditions.
Political analysts have voiced concerns over Ramaphosa’s failure to provide transparency about the South African mission in Goma. Independent analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Limpopo, Dr. Metji Makgoba, expressed disappointment over the president’s vague treatment of the situation. “He failed to explain clearly what happened and why the soldiers were there,” said Makgoba. “We are told we are on a peacekeeping mission, but additional details would help clarify the situation, especially for the families of those who may have loved ones in the DRC.”
Despite the lack of detail on the mission itself, Makgoba did acknowledge Ramaphosa’s gesture of naming the fallen soldiers in his address. “It shows that he acknowledges the pain of those who lost family members. Black lives are often overlooked, and by mentioning the soldiers, it shows that the government does care about them,” he remarked, recognizing the tribute as a positive, though insufficient, move.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe added to the criticism, emphasizing the absence of any mention of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has openly criticized South Africa’s involvement in the DRC. “He could have addressed the fact that Kagame branded him a liar. Even if he claimed he was misunderstood, it would have been better than avoiding the topic entirely,” Seepe said. He pointed out that Ramaphosa’s SONA this year was markedly weaker than his first address in 2018, especially considering the sensitive context surrounding the loss of the SANDF soldiers.
Seepe lamented that the address failed to offer any substantial reassurance on national concerns, making it feel disconnected from the gravity of the current situation. “It did not help that it took place against the backdrop of the loss of 14 SANDF members deployed in the DRC. Arguably, the only redeeming feature of this year’s SONA was the recognition and tribute paid to the country’s fallen soldiers,” he concluded.
The president’s handling of this issue has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of South Africa’s military operations abroad. The lack of detailed explanation regarding the country’s involvement in peacekeeping missions, along with the silence on the ongoing tensions with Rwanda, has left both the public and political analysts demanding more comprehensive communication from the government.
