President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast for seven days starting Friday as South Africa mourns the loss of 14 soldiers who were part of a peacekeeping mission in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Ramaphosa’s directive came as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) worked to repatriate the bodies of the fallen soldiers.
“President Ramaphosa has issued this directive as the country mourns the tragic and devastating loss of 14 South African soldiers who were part of a mission to bring peace to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya announced on Friday.
The soldiers, who were part of the SANDF contingent within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), were killed during clashes with the M23 rebel group.
The M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, launched a full-scale attack on the town of Sake and the nearby Goma region, resulting in the tragic loss of life.
The SANDF soldiers were deployed as part of efforts by SADC to support the DRC government in combating armed groups and protecting civilians from violence and human rights abuses.
The mission has faced significant challenges, including limited resources and difficult combat conditions.
The loss of the soldiers has sparked a national debate about the adequacy of training, equipment and support for peacekeeping missions.
Critics argue that the SANDF was ill-prepared for the challenges faced in the DRC, while supporters emphasise the bravery and dedication of the soldiers who risked their lives for peace.
JN/APA