DRC: Strengthening cooperation between Kinshasa and Pretoria
On Saturday, June 15, 2024, President Félix Tshisekedi sent a congratulatory message to his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, following his election as the head of state by the National Assembly.
Both nations, members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), continue to strengthen their ties, demonstrated by a mutual commitment to regional and global stability, peace, and development.
During a meeting last year, the two presidents reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation, identifying key areas such as security, economy, finance, infrastructure, agriculture, and the social sector.
“We need to intensify cooperation through the Pretoria-Kinshasa axis. Our two countries, with their influence, can promote increased economic development in the Southern African region”, President Tshisekedi stated during a joint press conference.
A few months ago, President Ramaphosa ordered the deployment of 2,900 members of the South African National Defense Force to the DRC. This operation, which will continue until December 15, 2024, aims to assist the Congolese government in restoring peace and security in the eastern part of the country, a region frequently disrupted by armed group activities.
This operation, named SAMIDRC, represents an investment of over 2 billion rands (approximately 134 million USD), funded by the South African government, in accordance with Article 201(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. In addition to their participation in SADC, the two countries rely on a General Cooperation Agreement signed on January 13, 2004, to guide their collaboration.
It should be noted that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, aged 71, was re-elected as head of state by a parliamentary vote. He received 283 votes, while his opponent, Julius Malema of the radical left party EFF, obtained 44 votes.
