South Africa in African Conflict Resolution: Peacekeeper or Power Player?
Posted: 24 February, 2025 Filed under: Zekhethelo Cele | Tags: conflict resolution, conflict resolution strategy, Democratic Republic of Congo, extrajudicial killings, high unemployment rates, humanitarian aid, instability, M23 crisis, mass displacement, negotiations, regional peacekeeping, SANDF soldiers, self-interest, South African troops, stabilising force, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions, vulnerable populations 2 Comments
Author: Zekhethelo Cele
Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa
The recent deaths of South African troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reignited debates about the country’s role in regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution. As a key player in African diplomacy, South Africa has historically positioned itself as a stabilising force on the continent. However, the risks and costs associated with its involvement in conflicts such as that in the DRC raises a pertinent question: Is South Africa a genuine peacekeeper, or is it acting out of political and economic self-interest?
AfricLaw 