South Africa’s participation in the now-defunct Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) was once lauded as an example of the country’s commitment to securing peace and stability across the continent. However, the shambolic manner in which the mission has come to an end has raised significant questions about South Africa’s capabilities and the status of the its other mission in the DRC, the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
During the recent international UN Peacekeepers Day commemorations on 29 May, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was keen to emphasise its, and South Africa’s, continued commitment to peacekeeping in Africa generally, and to MONUSCO in particular.
In response to a question from defenceWeb regarding South Africa’s status within MONUSCO, SANDF spokesperson Rear Admiral (JG) Prince Tshabalala told the gathered media that South Africa remains committed to the mission, with Pretoria pledging the SANDF’s continued and active involvement in MONUSCO’s operations despite the ongoing ructions surrounding the end of the SAMIDRC mission.
“South Africa remains a committed partner in supporting the mission. We’ve been there for such a long time as part of this commitment. As you know since we terminated the SADC mission [SAMIDRC] doesn’t mean we shall then abandon the people of Congo – we are still heavily involved in MONUSCO. Our troops will remain there up and ‘til a decision is taken whether the mission continues or not,” Tshabalala said.
At a later media event, the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, reiterated this point, stating: “We still have troops that are deployed, we are still functioning under MONUSCO and our troops are not going to come back until such time as there is a letter that then determines the UN is saying South Africa must withdraw.”
What is MONUSCO?
MONUSCO is the longest-running peacekeeping mission that South Africa has contributed to, with the country having been a continuous troop contributor since 1999. MONUSCO’s core mandate is explained as being:
– “Protecting civilians from the immediate threat of violence by armed groups;
– Supporting the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Reintegration and Stabilization Programme (PDDRCS);
– Supporting Security Sector Reform (SSR) and institutional reforms, particularly in the areas of justice and human rights;
– Assisting Congolese authorities in their efforts to stabilize, rebuild, and restore state authority.”
Notably, MONUSCO (marking a significant shift in the international community’s approach to peacekeeping missions) was later given a mandate for direct and offensive intervention to enhance peace and security in the DRC. It became the first UN-authorised mission to be granted such a mandate. This ‘peace enforcement’ component of MONUSCO’s mission began in 2013 following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2098, and has led to some limited successes.
According to the latest UN figures, MONUSCO currently consist of some 13 794 deployed personnel, of which 1 086 are from South Africa. These UN forces are largely concentrated in the eastern and north-central parts of the DRC (North Kivu Province; Ituri Province; South Kivu). Notably, South African personnel serving with MONUSCO do so across various parts of the mission, and these include but are not limited to, the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), Quick Reaction Force, and a Composite Helicopter Unit operating an Oryx. However, it is expected that the helicopter component will not be renewed and the Oryx will return home.
South Africa’s Peacekeeping Future
South Africa’s future in United Nations peacekeeping remains undimmed by the SAMIDRC setback following the battle for Goma in January/February and the deaths of 14 SANDF soldiers. Maphwanya and Defence Minister Angie Motshekga have both affirmed Pretoria’s deep, ongoing commitment to international peace operations and its ambition to broaden its role beyond simply contributing troops.
Speaking at a media event following the UN Peacekeepers Day commemorations, Motshekga stressed the strategic importance of continued engagement in African peacekeeping: “It is in our interest to make sure there is peace, and to contribute toward that peace,” she asserted, citing the recent unrest in Mozambique as evidence of how regional instability can quickly impact South Africa’s domestic security and economy.
Looking ahead, Pretoria is focused on modernising the SANDF’s capabilities by recognising the need for and adoption of new technologies, due to the changing nature of the battlefield. “To prevent war, you must be ready for war,” Motshekga declared. While budgetary constraints may temper the pace of these modernisation efforts, the SANDF and the Minister remain intent on enhancing South Africa’s deployable capacity in partnership with the South African defence industry.
Recently, Pretoria further demonstrated its commitment to international peacekeeping operations during the 8th UN Ministerial Peacekeeping Conference in Berlin, making some 13 pledges. These ranged from additional ‘Engagement Platoons’ and ‘Staff Officers’ to ‘Military Gender Advisers’ and training support.
At the UN Peacekeepers Day media event, Motshekga reiterated these pledges, emphasising Pretoria’s commitment to the provision of gender advisors, the hosting of a number of military and peacekeeping workshops, as well as the expansion of training offerings to other African militaries.
Motshekga argued that South Africa, as one of Africa’s top three military powers (alongside Egypt and Algeria), has both the ability and the responsibility to assist fellow African states faced with insecurity.
“As Africa we are the epicentre of instability in the world, and so it is for us as Africans to work together and stabilise our continent” Motshekga stated. “We have committed to training. Because some of the weaknesses that create the environment for war is the weakness of some defence forces, so we will invite senior people from other defence forces to come and learn from us,” she added.
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