General Rudzani Maphwanya confirmed that the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) fired rockets into Rwanda, leading to the deaths of 14 South African soldiers. This incident occurred during the SANDF’s participation in a SADC mission in DR Congo against M23 rebels. Maphwanya clarified that the conflict involved an exchange of fire and highlighted concerns over the military’s collaboration with the FARDC and various militia groups.

General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), confirmed that the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) launched rockets into Rwanda. This statement was made during a parliamentary briefing with Defence Minister Angie Motshekga regarding the deaths of 14 SANDF soldiers who were deployed in eastern DR Congo as part of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission aimed at combating M23 rebels alongside the FARDC.

Maphwanya indicated that the rockets were fired from Goma airport by FARDC troops stationed there. This firing incident ultimately resulted in confusion, as reports claimed that the South African forces were under direct attack, which President Cyril Ramaphosa attributed to M23 rebel activity, though later acknowledged that FARDC was involved in the fatalities.

In his declaration, Maphwanya clarified that there had been an exchange of fire stemming from FARDC’s actions. “What the minister indicated is that there had been an exchange of fire between DRC and Rwanda,” Maphwanya explained. He added that South African forces had raised a white flag to signal their boundaries, which subsequently led to the cessation of hostilities directed at their troops.

The SANDF currently has over 1,500 personnel actively engaged in the Congolese conflict within the SADC framework, collaborating with FARDC, Burundian troops, and several militia groups against the M23 insurgents. Parliamentary criticism addressed the nature of this collaboration, particularly regarding the alliance with factions such as the genocidal FDLR militia, questioning the mission’s overall objectives and the South African government’s commitment to its armed forces.

The report highlights significant geopolitical tensions in the Great Lakes region, particularly the conflict involving DR Congo, Rwanda, and various militia groups such as the M23 rebels and FDLR. The involvement of South African troops under SADC aims to stabilize this complex security situation but raises questions about alliances with controversial groups. The SADC mission, initiated to combat armed insurgency in eastern DR Congo, is now scrutinized due to the recent fatalities among South African soldiers, prompting discussions about military engagements and the implications of collaborating with regional armed factions. The situation is exacerbated by long-standing historical animosities in the region, requiring careful diplomatic navigation.

The confirmation of FARDC’s rocket fire into Rwanda and the resulting fatalities of 14 SANDF soldiers highlight the complexities and dangers of military interventions in conflict zones like eastern DR Congo. The exchange of fire raises critical questions regarding the strategies, objectives, and alliances formed by the South African military within the SADC framework, particularly concerning their cooperation with significant yet contentious militant groups. As the situation evolves, the future of South Africa’s military involvement in the region remains uncertain, warranting ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw