South Africa Salutes Troops Lost in DRC as World Marks Peacekeeping Day

South Africa is paying a somber tribute to 14 of its own soldiers who lost their lives while serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the world pauses to commemorate United Nations Peacekeeping Day. To honor the soldiers who died in a bloody battle with the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will hold a wreath-laying ceremony in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

This yearly international event honors the service and sacrifices made by law enforcement, military personnel, and civilian peacekeepers who have helped to build a more just and peaceful world. Since the first UN peacekeeping mission in 1948, over 4,000 peacekeepers have died worldwide.

To commemorate the lives of peacekeepers worldwide, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will also preside over a wreath-laying ceremony at UN headquarters in New York.

Prince Tshabalala, a SANDF spokesperson, emphasized the significance of the celebration:

The National Defence Force of South Africa pauses to remember and pay tribute to its heroes and heroines. To remind ourselves that we must keep pursuing peace and stability on the continent, we do this every year in collaboration with the UN.

He went on to say that this day is not only a ceremony but also an opportunity to remember the soldiers who lost their lives defending peace in Africa.

The memorial serves as a potent reminder of South Africa’s continued support for international peacekeeping efforts and its function in assisting in the settlement of conflicts, especially those that occur within Africa.

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Sourced:EWN

Picture: X/@SANDF_ZA