SANDF in DRC: Trump administration did what SA couldn’t, says DA

The DA has questioned South Africa’s intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after reports that the United States government is on course to broker a peace deal between rival groups in the region.

This comes as South African troops make their way home after Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces withdrew from the DRC.

There is currently a ceasefire between M23 rebels and the government of the DRC. Rwanda has been seen as backing the M23 rebels but they have denied this.

According to Reuters, the Trump administration has intervened in the war and is pushing for Kigali and Kinshasa to sign a peace agreement at the White House.

Who brokered peace?

DA spokesperson on defence and military veterans Chris Hattingh told The Citizen that Washington’s intervention was more fruitful than the SADC peacekeeping mission.

“The recent peace breakthrough between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda didn’t come from years of regional mediation, it came swiftly from Washington.

“While South Africa and other SADC nations have struggled for years to resolve the crisis, the United States brokered a deal in record time,” he said.

He said Washington had used strategic negotiation and diplomacy to end the conflict.

“The US brought into the equation what SADC could not: power, pressure, and priorities,” he said.

Hattingh said that at the heart of the war lie minerals—cobalt, coltan, and other critical resources the world craves.

“The US used its economic clout and market access as both carrot and stick, incentivising peace with investment and warning of sanctions.

“Rwanda, heavily reliant on Western aid, took notice. The DRC, facing military setbacks, pivoted from a passive regional bloc to a proactive global partner,” he said.

He said SADC’s doctrine of non-interference and internal divisions has left it reactive.

“The US, by contrast, acted with urgency and interests aligned sometimes, peace demands leverage—not just diplomacy,” he said.

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Motshekga claims SADC victory in DRC

However, in a media briefing on Sunday, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga said SADC’s mission in the DRC is responsible for the cessation of hostilities.

“More than the past four months, the region has witnessed a renewed momentum towards peace and stability in the eastern provinces of the DRC, and these political and diplomatic engagements have progressed with significant momentum.

“Significant bilateral, multilateral meetings took place between the DRC government and the regional actors, culminating in a peace agreement signed between the government of the DRC and representatives of the M23 rebels.

“This accord brokered with the support of SADC, African Union (AU), and the East African committee includes commitments to cease hostilities, disarmament, reintegrate former combatants, and protect civilians.”

Motshekga said the withdrawal of SA troops from the DRC will happen in phases.

“The withdrawal of the South African Defence Force from the eastern DRC marks a significant new chapter in our regional peacekeeping efforts. This withdrawal is a structured process designed to ensure the safe return of our troops and equipment is not compromised,” he said.

According to reports, South Africa has spent more than R2 billion on the war in the DRC since 2023.

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