President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his ninth SONA on Thursday.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced criticism for failing to provide clarity in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on the deployment of South African troops in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Political analysts have raised concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the status of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers stranded in Goma following clashes with rebels that left at least 14 troops dead. The government has yet to confirm when the bodies of the fallen soldiers will be repatriated, with reports suggesting they have been left in deteriorating conditions.
Independent political analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Limpopo, Dr Metji Makgoba, criticised Ramaphosa for not addressing national concerns about the conflict or explaining why troops remain in Goma.
“He failed to explain clearly what happened and why the soldiers were there. We are told we are on a peacekeeping mission, but additional details would help clarify the situation, especially for the families of those who may have loved ones in the DRC,” Makgoba said.
However, he commended the president for naming the fallen soldiers, saying it demonstrated recognition of their sacrifice.
“It shows that he acknowledges the pain of those who lost family members. Black lives are often overlooked, and by mentioning the soldiers, it shows that the government does care about them,” Makgoba added.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe also criticised Ramaphosa for avoiding any mention of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has openly challenged South Africa’s involvement in the DRC.
“He could have addressed the fact that Kagame branded him a liar. Even if he claimed he was misunderstood, it would have been better than avoiding the topic entirely,” Seepe said.
He further noted that this year’s SONA was significantly weaker compared to Ramaphosa’s first address in 2018.
“It did not help that it took place against the backdrop of the loss of 14 SANDF members deployed in the DRC. Arguably, the only redeeming feature of this year’s SONA was the recognition and tribute paid to the country’s fallen soldiers,” he said.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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