For now, being allowed to leave with their weapons and equipment would be a “victory” for the SANDF contingent of about 1,000 soldiers deployed in Goma and Sake in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Intelligence sources say the disastrous DRC peacekeeping mission is running out of steam at a rapid pace.
Defence analyst Guy Martin told the Sunday Times the situation has become untenable.
“Our soldiers — there are between one and two thousand in the country — are hostages in all but name. The M23 rebels have completely surrounded them and our soldiers have to look to them for food and water,” Martin said. “And as you can well imagine, they are throttling the supply to keep our soldiers hungry and thirsty to further break down morale.”
He believes the SANDF’s reaction to the “mission failure” is a disgrace. “There has been this blanket of silence. It’s almost as if the SANDF and government want to wish the crisis away.”
A video shot by a DRC journalist showed a white flag flying over the South African base.
“Yes, they must keep the white flag flying to show that we are still honouring the ceasefire,” Martin said. “But being in the base does not mean we haven’t lost the fight. We are surrounded and the [Goma] airport itself is also in rebel hands. Our troops have only one option if they want to leave and that is to go out through Rwanda.
“It is perhaps time to swallow that embarrassment. Our mission failed. We need to sit down with M23 and our fellow Sadc countries and admit that. Negotiating with M23 is the only way to a place where we can save a little face. If we get to leave with our weapons and equipment, we must see that as a victory,” Martin said.
I’m afraid we have to accept that we are coming home with a bloody nose on this one. Our soldiers fought incredibly bravely but everything was against them. It must break their hearts knowing their comrades died and now they must come home at some point with their tail between their legs
— Intelligence source
A woman whose nephew is being held in Goma said she was very worried. The woman, who did not want to be named because of her nephew's situation, said she spoke to him whenever he had a signal.
“He also has no idea when they'll be sent back home. He says they are OK, taking it one day at a time. They are getting breakfast but I don't know if it is just on certain days. As for me, I'm OK. I'm just waiting on news [about his return].”
The SANDF has declined to give out information of its operations in the DRC.
Another intelligence source, who is sympathetic to the South African troops' situation, said it was widely suspected that South Africa had sent reinforcements to the DRC.
“The SANDF has not confirmed the deployment,” the source said. “This just plays along with the silence about what is happening. This has been a very undercooked operation on the planning side. We had no air cover, and the bases were laid out very strangely on lower ground but in direct line of fire from the higher ground.
“Added to that, the surrounding built-up area brought more complications. M23 would fire from these areas and fears of civilian casualties would prevent our guys from returning fire in some instances.
“I’m afraid we have to accept that we are coming home with a bloody nose on this one. Our soldiers fought incredibly bravely but everything was against them. It must break their hearts knowing their comrades died and now they must come home at some point with their tail between their legs.”
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