President Zuma extends SANDF troops’ deployment

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has informed Parliament of the extension of the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan until April 2014.

The employment is authorised in accordance with the provisions of section 201(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.

The President has extended until April 2014 the following operations:

  • The employment of 850 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel in Darfur, Sudan, for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN).
    The members had been employed in Darfur for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013, as part of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), and will continue serving in the mission.
  • The employment of 11 SANDF members for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of SA towards the DRC. They had been employed in the DRC as a Special Advisory Team, for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013, to assist with capacity building of the DRC Defence Force (FARDC), and will continue for another year.
  • The employment of 1 267 SANDF personnel in the DRC for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of SA towards the United Nations. The members were employed in the DRC for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 to participate in the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC, and will continue in this mission.
  • The employment of 67 SANDF personnel for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of SA towards the DRC. They had been employed in the DRC for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 to train the DRC Armed Force (FARDC).

Zuma congratulated the SANDF on its sterling role in the promotion of peace in the continent.

"Our soldiers are doing exceptionally well. We congratulate them and assure them of the support of their compatriots as they continue to contribute to the building of a better Africa, as a force for peace.

“We are very proud of them and their contribution to African renewal and development,” Zuma said. – SAnews.gov.za