Goma airport closure leaves South African soldiers trapped in the DRC

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops that are scheduled to return home are reportedly stranded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the closure of Goma International Airport, leaving the soldiers uncertain about when they will return home.

Sources within the SANDF, currently involved in a peacekeeping mission in the DRC, have expressed alarm over the situation, stating to IOL that the troops are trapped and unable to return home.

The DRC government issued a notice earlier this month banning the use of Goma International Airport, citing security concerns linked to the presence of M23/AFC/RDF forces.

This decision complicates recent agreements between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the M23 regarding the repair and reopening of the airport.

The closure has elicited strong reactions from Rwanda, as it disrupts travel for Rwandan businesspeople and officials to the Great Lakes region, impacting trade and economic activities.

The DRC maintains that the airport’s reopening is contingent upon its exclusive authorisation. In February, Kinshasa justified the closure by citing violations of its territorial integrity by M23/AFC/RDF forces.

Civil aviation authorities were notified due to the dangerous use of Goma Airport, exacerbated by the presence of the Rwandan Army,” said the source

“The DRC asserts that the airport falls under its exclusive national sovereignty and will not lift this ban until the situation improves, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which demands the withdrawal of Rwandan troops.”

Conditions in Goma are reportedly dire. Sanitation facilities have been non-functional for the past two months due to the inability of waste management trucks to access the area.

Troops are also relying on M23 for water for drinking and bathing, raising significant concerns about the safety and welfare of South African personnel.

• IOL News