South Africa has renewed its call for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), urging all conflicting parties to uphold past ceasefire agreements and prioritise humanitarian concerns.
Why is South Africa calling for peace in the DRC?
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, addressed the Ad Hoc Summit of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework.
She emphasised that parties in the DRC must show “political will and selfless leadership” by:
- Honouring signed ceasefire commitments
- Ending the occupation of territory by armed groups
- Engaging in open, inclusive peace talks
- Prioritising the people’s needs over political agendas.
What’s fuelling the conflict in eastern DRC?
Despite multiple peace efforts, armed violence continues in eastern DRC. The Minister highlighted several key issues:
- M23 and FDLR rebel groups have seized towns like Uvira
- Parallel administrations are being set up in captured areas
- Human rights violations are on the rise
- Regional peace and economic development are under threat
What is South Africa demanding now?
South Africa is calling for:
- A verifiable and permanent ceasefire
- Full implementation of all past agreements
- Inclusive, root-cause–based dialogue
- Urgent humanitarian support for affected communities
Ntshavheni stressed that “peace will endure when the people of the DRC unite” and focus on nation-building.
Summary of South Africa’s position
| Priority | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Ceasefire | Honour past agreements with verification |
| Dialogue | Include all parties in root-cause–focused talks |
| Armed Groups | End occupation, disband parallel administrations |
| Humanitarian Response | Address displacement, rights abuses and services |
| Regional Stability | Avoid escalation that affects neighbouring countries |
