Zuma tells leaders SA troops will leave CAR
SOUTH African troops will pull out of the Central African Republic (CAR), President Jacob Zuma told a regional summit on the postcoup crisis yesterday.
“President Zuma has decided to withdraw the South African forces which are deployed in Bangui,” Chadian President Idriss Deby said, adding that Mr Zuma was ready to provide troops in the future if necessary.
Mr Zuma had faced prickly questions over the presence of his troops, 13 of whom were killed in the bloody battle for the capital, Bangui.
African heads of state decided yesterday that it was impossible to recognise rebel chief Michel Djotodia as president of CAR, and want the country to elect a transitional president, Chad’s leader said at the end of a summit called to discuss the political crisis.
CAPE TOWN — Opposition parties have reacted with fury to President Jacob Zuma’s attack on them and other critics of the deployment of South African troops to the Central African Republic (CAR).
This follows Mr Zuma’s use of a memorial service for the 13 soldiers killed in the CAR some 10 days ago as a platform to attack his critics. He effectively told them to back off and to stop trying to govern SA.
It also comes hard on the heels of reports that massive reinforcements, including Gripen fighter jets and Rooivalk attack helicopters, have been airlifted to sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. This has sparked fears that SA is planning a revenge attack on the rebels who took Bangui and ousted president Francois Bozize.
Also at issue is the deployment of soldiers and the president’s constitutional duty to inform Parliament.
Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota said: “In criticising those who are questioning SA’s military involvement in the Central African Republic, President Jacob Zuma once again demonstrates his failure to appreciate that in our constitutional democracy people have the right both to comment on executive action as well as to demand answers regarding executive decisions. This right can never be abrogated by the president and South Africans are correct in insisting on getting a full explanation.
“Had President Zuma, in the first instance, requested unequivocal parliamentary approval to send troops to the Central African Republic, as he was solemnly bound to do by section 201(3) (a)(b)(c) and (d), he would have acted constitutionally and transparently. As matters now stand, he appears to have breached his constitutional obligation.”
Democratic Alliance defence spokesman David Maynier said Mr Zuma should immediately inform Parliament about any new deployment of troops to the Congo and Uganda. “The president is making a big mistake if he thinks the defence force can be deployed, BJ Vorsterstyle, in secret without informing the public and Parliament. Ten days ago Gen Solly Shoke, chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), said he was awaiting a ‘political decision’ about how to proceed in the CAR.
“Yesterday, President Zuma said that, ‘We will be guided by the continent as to what to do next’.”
Mr Maynier said Mr Zuma’s statement appeared to be misleading as it seemed the decision had already been made, with the SANDF in the process of deploying a force to Congo and Uganda.
“The deployment reportedly includes Gripen fighter jets and Rooivalk attack helicopters and was airlifted to the region by chartered Illuyshin 76s and Antonov 124s. The concern is that these forces may be used to ‘hit back’ in the CAR.
“If the SANDF is being deployed in the Congo and Uganda, why has Parliament not been informed? The president must comply with the constitution and immediately inform Parliament of any new deployments in the Congo and Uganda.”
Mr Lekota said: “President Zuma’s broadside against citizen criticism of our military presence in CAR is totally misguided and intended only to serve as a ruse against being held accountable for his questionable decisions and actions regarding our soldiers in CAR.”