Displacements or deaths of the SANDF personnel as a result of the rebel warriors’ advancements into Goma and other war-torn areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 677 (CW891E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 38-2012 OF 30 NOVEMBER 2012

MR O DE BEER (COPE-WC) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

(1) Whether, as a result of the rebel warriors’ advancements into Goma and other war-torn areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), her department has recorded any reported

(a) Deaths or
(b)Displacements of the SANDF personnel

If not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) what are the relevant details in each case, (ii) what timetables have been set for their (aa) continued stay and (bb) eventual return and (iii) what are the reasons for (aaa) each action that has been taken and (bbb) the type of agreements that are governing those decisions and deployment;

(2) whether there are any SANDF (a) soldiers and (b) personnel who are being used for any other bilateral defence and/or military purposes in the DRC other than United Nations sanctioned missions; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) a) NO

b) NO

(ii) South Africa’s deployment in the DRC is long term and is under the United Nations peacekeeping mandate of the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO).

(aa) There is no time table that has been set.

(bb) There is no confirmed exit date, however the MONUSCO mandate has been extended until 30 June 2013.

(iii) South Africa has spent considerable time and effort to support stabilisation efforts, strengthening Government institutions and finding sustainable solutions for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region. This is in line with our Foreign Policy objectives and we will continue to support regional, continental and multilateral processes in responding to resolution of conflicts and create sustainable development for the continent.

(aaa) South African troops in MONUSCO are committed to the peacekeeping mandate until 30 June 2013.

(bbb) Mandating Agreements

• UNSC Resolution 1279 (1999) and Resolution 2053 (2012)

• Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) bilaterally signed with the United Nations to contribute troops to MONUSCO

(2) (a) and (b) The Department of Defence is the appropriate department to answer the question.

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