Earth Science News
AFRICA NEWS
S.Africa and DRC discuss boosting 'defence capabilities'
S.Africa and DRC discuss boosting 'defence capabilities'
by AFP Staff Writers
Johannesburg (AFP) Mar 24, 2025

The Democratic Republic of Congo's defence minister began a visit to South Africa Monday aimed at strengthening "strategic defence capabilities" between the two countries, South Africa's government said.

The visit, due to last until Thursday, comes against the backdrop of an escalating conflict in the mineral-rich east of the DRC, where South African troops deployed with a mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have suffered severe losses.

"This visit aims to further strengthen and enhance the longstanding bilateral defence relations between South Africa and the DRC," South Africa's defence ministry said in a statement.

The talks between Congolese Defence Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita and his South African counterpart Angie Motshekga will focus on "key areas of defence cooperation and bolstering strategic defence capabilities", it added.

The partnership is "crucial for fostering peace, security and stability across the region", the ministry said.

Fourteen South African soldiers were killed in January in eastern DRC, where the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has launched a lightning offensive, seizing large swathes of land and key cities.

Most of the soldiers were from the SADC mission sent in December 2023 to help the government of the DRC -- also a SADC member -- to restore peace and security.

At least two of the troops killed were deployed as part of a separate United Nations peacekeeping force.

Following the deaths, a row erupted between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, with the latter tweeting that the southern African troops were "not a peacekeeping force" but were "engaging in offensive combat operations to help the DRC government".

"If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day," Kagame posted on X.

The SADC announced mid-March that it would end its military deployment, of which the bulk of the troops come from South Africa.

On March 18, Qatar unexpectedly announced it had hosted the Rwandan and Congolese presidents for talks in which they "reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire".

But despite the announcement, the M23 last week took control of the mining hub of Walikale, the farthest west the group has advanced into the interior of the DRC since 2012.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AFRICA NEWS
Ghana ex-security chief arrested as fraud crackdown expands
Accra (AFP) Mar 24, 2025
A top Ghanaian security official was arrested over the weekend for allegedly skimming millions of dollars from a cyber-security contract, authorities said Monday, as President John Mahama continues an anti-corruption drive. Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the country's former National Signals Bureau (NSB) director-general, is accused of diverting funds from a $7 million contract meant to strengthen Ghana's cyber-security infrastructure. Mahama, who took office in January, has vowed to reclaim stolen public ... read more

AFRICA NEWS
Technology developed by MIT engineers makes pesticides stick to plant leaves

Brought to eel: France busts elver-smuggling ring

Parisians back 'garden roads' scheme in record low turnout

Canada files WTO trade action against Chinese agriculture, fishery duties

AFRICA NEWS
Philippines, US kick off army drills ahead of Hegseth visit

Australian lawmaker shocks senate with dead salmon stunt

Back in the pink: Senegal salt lake gets its colour back

3D nanotech blankets offer new path to clean drinking water

AFRICA NEWS
'We are not in crisis': chair of IPCC climate body to AFP

Amplified warming risks from long-term climate and carbon feedbacks

COP30 president vows to defend global climate fight

Venezuela cuts public sector work week due to drought

AFRICA NEWS
Space Solar teams with MagDrive to boost in-orbit solar power systems

Effect of sulfur composition on tin sulfide for improving solar cell performance

Study links solar surge to evening price hikes for fossil energy

Seven universities unite to propel solar projects over California canal system

AFRICA NEWS
Eco friendly low-cost energy storage system from pine biomass

Why Expanding the Search for Climate-Friendly Microalgae is Essential

Solar-powered reactor extracts CO2 from air to produce sustainable fuel

Zero Emissions Process for Truly Biodegradable Plastics Developed

AFRICA NEWS
Israeli officials work on Gaza voluntary migration plan

One dead, two missing in Ecuador bridge collapse; N. Macedonia buries victims of deadly nightclub fire

Indonesia passes bill allowing military in more govt roles

UN chief condemns 'intolerable' suffering in Gaza

AFRICA NEWS
US sanctions Huthi-linked China oil refinery

Ecuador ministry says new Amazon fuel leak an 'attack'

Study questions Australian mine's methane reporting

Shell plans to cut more costs, boost gas sales

AFRICA NEWS
China says it 'welcomes' visit by pro-Trump senator

Bangladesh's Yunus heads to China for first state visit

Rising seas test defenses of South American ports

Pro-Trump US senator meets Chinese vice premier

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.