SA troops in DRC and Sudan will stay

President Jacob Zuma confirmed that he has extended the deployment of the SA National Defence Force's (SANDF) troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan until April next year.

18 Apr 2013

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said on Wednesday (17 April) that Zuma had informed Parliament of the extensions of soldiers fulfilling international obligations.

He said 850 South African troops had been deployed in Darfur, Sudan, in fulfillment of SA's international obligations towards the African Union and United Nations.

"The troops had previously had a year's contract in Darfur that ran from April last year to March this year. They are part of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), and would continue serving in the country," Maharaj said.

He said that 11 soldiers had been deployed in the DRC as a special advisory team from April last year to March this year. They help with capacity building of the DRC's Defence Force and would continue to do so for another year.

Maharaj said that 1,267 SANDF members had been deployed in the DRC from April to March.

They are part of the United Nations Organisation's Stabilisation Mission in the DRC and would continue with this mission until April next year.

Sixty-seven SANDF members were also deployed in the DRC to train the local armed forces.

"Our soldiers are doing exceptionally well," said Zuma.

"We congratulate them and assure them of the support of their compatriots as they continue to contribute to peace on the continent and to building a better Africa," Zuma said.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge

Source: I-Net Bridge

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