South Africa: Defence Committee Welcomes Repatriation of Gallant Soldiers Killed in Democratic Republic of Congo Conflict
'We appreciate the work done by the department, United Nations, SADC and the SANDF to repatriate our gallant soldiers back home for their final burial,' said Mr Phala. 'The committee has always believed that while the process is complex, everything should be done to return the remains to the country. We remain grateful that this has finally happened despite the delays.'
In the spirit of ubuntu and cooperation, the committee appreciates Uganda's contribution to facilitating the transfer of the soldiers' remains from the DRC to South Africa. 'The spirit of cooperation is what is needed currently to enable dialogue, which will be critical in finding solutions to the longstanding instability in the DRC,' said Mr Gigaba.
The committee has also reiterated that participation in peacekeeping missions is an obligation that cannot be abandoned. 'South Africa, as part of the African Union (AU), subscribes to the AU's Agenda 2063, which aims to silence the guns and provide a framework of diplomacy, conflict resolution and sustainable development to ensure peace on our continent. It is on this basis that we continue to support the deployment of the SANDF as a diplomatic tool to peacebuilding on the continent,' Mr Gigaba said.
While the committee remains of the view that a thorough investigation is necessary to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent its recurrence, the continued use of all diplomatic tools available remains necessary to advance the strategic goals of peace, security, and prosperity.
The return of the mortal remains of the soldiers is a realisation of the promise made by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the SANDF to the committee that no stone will be left unturned to repatriate our fallen soldiers back to South Africa. 'It is now critical that families of the fallen soldiers are given adequate support and care during this difficult time,' Mr Phala said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
Clarification on South Africa's Foreign Policy Authority
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has taken note of recent media reports concerning comments attributed to South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya. It is crucial to clarify that the implementation of South Africa's foreign policy is a function of The Presidency, supported by DIRCO. Consequently, any statements made by an individual, or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy, should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African Government. The remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not represent the government's official foreign policy stance. In response to this matter, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola will be seeking further clarification. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
African Development Bank backs Artificial Intelligence (AI) training to boost Agenda 2063 implementation across Africa
The African Development Bank ( is supporting a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) training initiative to advance the implementation of Africa's continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want ( Through its Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO), the Bank provided technical and financial backing for the 5th Annual Training Workshop for African Union Member States on harnessing AI for effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on the Second Ten-Year Plan (2024–2033) of Agenda 2063. The five-day workshop, held in Lusaka, Zambia, was jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). The event brought together representatives from African Union Member States to strengthen their technical capacity in using AI tools and digital innovations to monitor, track, and report on the implementation of Agenda 2063. The training is part of broader efforts to enhance institutional and human capacity across the continent. Participants engaged in practical sessions on emerging AI platforms, including Ailyse, ChatGPT, Google AI Studio, Google Gemini, and Perplexity, exploring how these tools can improve data analysis, enhance decision-making, and promote evidence-based policy development in line with Agenda 2063 ( priorities. The Bank's support to the workshop reflects its broader commitment to strengthening results-based planning, monitoring, and accountability within the African Union framework, while promoting innovation and digital transformation as key enablers of Africa's development agenda. Speaking at the workshop, Abibu Tamu, Lead Programme Co-ordinator at African Development Bank Group, reaffirmed the Bank's dedication to working closely with the African Union Commission and strategic partners to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063, particularly its Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. 'These tools are not only revolutionizing how data is collected, analysed, and reported, they are also enabling more targeted policy interventions and efficient resource allocation,' said Tamu. The workshop also served as a platform for peer learning and knowledge exchange, with participating countries sharing innovative approaches and best practices in national development planning and results-based reporting. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Zawya
6 days ago
- Zawya
African Union and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Champion Information Integrity with New Continental Framework
"In an era of evolving information landscapes, safeguarding information integrity is paramount to fostering trust, informed citizenship, and robust democracies across Africa," stated Director of information and communication Directorate, Leslie Richer, 'This framework marks an important step in equipping our citizens with the critical skills needed to navigate the digital age." The Information and Communication Directorate, in a collaborative effort with the UNESCO Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA, are working towards developing the first draft of the AU Continental Framework on Information Integrity, Digital, Media, and Information Literacy (MIL).This Framework will provide essential support to AU Member States to develop and implement comprehensive Information Literacy (MIL) and digital competencies policies and strategies and further empower African citizens to critically assess information, participate effectively in digital spaces, and contribute to inclusive development. "This collaboration with the African Union on the Continental Framework for Information Integrity and Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is a crucial step forward. UNESCO firmly believes that empowering African citizens with these essential skills is key to promoting informed civic engagement, countering disinformation and misinformation, and driving an inclusive and equitable digital transformation across the continent. Rita Bissoonauth, Director of UNESCO Liaison Office to AU, ECA and Representative to Ethiopia. The development of this inaugural draft framework is guided by key continental and international recommendations and decisions, including: The Continental AI Strategy, which was endorsed by the African Union Executive Council during its 45th Ordinary Session in Accra, Ghana, on July 18-19, 2024, with particular focus on its recommendations pertaining to responsible AI development and deployment to ensure the integrity of Information (pages 50-51). The G20 Maceió Ministerial Declaration on Digital Inclusion for All, emphasizing the global commitment to equitable access and digital literacy. Relevant Decisions adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1214th meeting (open session) held on June 13, 2024, and its 1230th meeting (Open Session) on September 2, 2024, underlining the nexus between information integrity, digital literacy, peace, and security. Following the completion of this initial draft, a six-month regional consultation process with stakeholders will commence. This extensive consultation phase ensures comprehensive feedback and broad buy-in before the framework is presented for approval to the Communication and ICT Ministers and the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (CCICT-6), to be held 3rd – 6th November 2025 in Addis Ababa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
