Darren Olivier
@darren.africandefence.net
Director at African Defence Review (@africandefence)
Covering African conflicts with a specific focus on Southern Africa.
Email: dolivier@africandefence.net
Signal: darren.13
Covering African conflicts with a specific focus on Southern Africa.
Email: dolivier@africandefence.net
Signal: darren.13
A reminder that South Africa still has troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who remain there as part of the UN mission, MONUSCO.
Here’s an official feature on some community outreach the units have been doing. www.facebook.com/share/p/16Ce...
Here’s an official feature on some community outreach the units have been doing. www.facebook.com/share/p/16Ce...
November 22, 2025 at 11:19 PM
A reminder that South Africa still has troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who remain there as part of the UN mission, MONUSCO.
Here’s an official feature on some community outreach the units have been doing. www.facebook.com/share/p/16Ce...
Here’s an official feature on some community outreach the units have been doing. www.facebook.com/share/p/16Ce...
General Mpho Churchill O. Mophuting has been appointed as the new Commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
Interestingly, he is the first head of the BDF to be given the General rank, all predecessors have been Lt Gens, and he was recalled from retirement for the post.
Interestingly, he is the first head of the BDF to be given the General rank, all predecessors have been Lt Gens, and he was recalled from retirement for the post.
November 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
General Mpho Churchill O. Mophuting has been appointed as the new Commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
Interestingly, he is the first head of the BDF to be given the General rank, all predecessors have been Lt Gens, and he was recalled from retirement for the post.
Interestingly, he is the first head of the BDF to be given the General rank, all predecessors have been Lt Gens, and he was recalled from retirement for the post.
South African Air Force Oryx serial 1211 has returned to South Africa from Lubumbashi, DRC, inside an Il-76, this week.
It had an engine issue that required depot-level support, and it was deemed safer to airlift it rather than fly directly.
It was one of the ex-MONUSCO Oryxes.
It had an engine issue that required depot-level support, and it was deemed safer to airlift it rather than fly directly.
It was one of the ex-MONUSCO Oryxes.
October 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
South African Air Force Oryx serial 1211 has returned to South Africa from Lubumbashi, DRC, inside an Il-76, this week.
It had an engine issue that required depot-level support, and it was deemed safer to airlift it rather than fly directly.
It was one of the ex-MONUSCO Oryxes.
It had an engine issue that required depot-level support, and it was deemed safer to airlift it rather than fly directly.
It was one of the ex-MONUSCO Oryxes.
More details can be found in the video they uploaded to YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iu6...
October 25, 2025 at 9:41 AM
More details can be found in the video they uploaded to YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iu6...
The delay is unlucky, as it pushes back the peak availability of the fleet somewhere beyond FY 2028/29, rather than at the end of FY 2027/28.
But these things happen. Even though Marshall Aerospace is just about the best in the business, upgrading such old aircraft always has delay risks.
But these things happen. Even though Marshall Aerospace is just about the best in the business, upgrading such old aircraft always has delay risks.
October 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The delay is unlucky, as it pushes back the peak availability of the fleet somewhere beyond FY 2028/29, rather than at the end of FY 2027/28.
But these things happen. Even though Marshall Aerospace is just about the best in the business, upgrading such old aircraft always has delay risks.
But these things happen. Even though Marshall Aerospace is just about the best in the business, upgrading such old aircraft always has delay risks.
This year's joint MSDS intake is a bit better at 11 000, but is far from enough and likely can't be sustained. Making it a joint basic training, rather than service-specific, also implies that there are serious capacity problems with just 11 000 recruits. www.defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence/s...
September 5, 2025 at 10:37 AM
This year's joint MSDS intake is a bit better at 11 000, but is far from enough and likely can't be sustained. Making it a joint basic training, rather than service-specific, also implies that there are serious capacity problems with just 11 000 recruits. www.defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence/s...
I’m not surprised to see these figures, many of us expected it following the sharp cutbacks in recruitment via the MSDS after ~2011. That underfunding-driven decision reversed years of progress. In 2000, just 10% of SANDF privates were 18-24. By 2011 it had improved to 57%.
September 5, 2025 at 10:37 AM
I’m not surprised to see these figures, many of us expected it following the sharp cutbacks in recruitment via the MSDS after ~2011. That underfunding-driven decision reversed years of progress. In 2000, just 10% of SANDF privates were 18-24. By 2011 it had improved to 57%.
The table wrongly mixes junior NCOs & junior enlisted.
But even when corrected for that, the data exposes a critical structural imbalance in the SANDF, with an inverted junior/senior officer structure, poor NCO ratios, and far too few junior enlisted compared to other forces.
But even when corrected for that, the data exposes a critical structural imbalance in the SANDF, with an inverted junior/senior officer structure, poor NCO ratios, and far too few junior enlisted compared to other forces.
September 5, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The table wrongly mixes junior NCOs & junior enlisted.
But even when corrected for that, the data exposes a critical structural imbalance in the SANDF, with an inverted junior/senior officer structure, poor NCO ratios, and far too few junior enlisted compared to other forces.
But even when corrected for that, the data exposes a critical structural imbalance in the SANDF, with an inverted junior/senior officer structure, poor NCO ratios, and far too few junior enlisted compared to other forces.
South Africa's Minister of Defence has released updated SANDF personnel & rank numbers in response to a Parliamentary question.
Notable is the average age of 39, confirmation that there are 230 (not 400!) officers of General/Admiral rank, and 2755 fewer personnel since 2018.
Notable is the average age of 39, confirmation that there are 230 (not 400!) officers of General/Admiral rank, and 2755 fewer personnel since 2018.
September 5, 2025 at 10:37 AM
South Africa's Minister of Defence has released updated SANDF personnel & rank numbers in response to a Parliamentary question.
Notable is the average age of 39, confirmation that there are 230 (not 400!) officers of General/Admiral rank, and 2755 fewer personnel since 2018.
Notable is the average age of 39, confirmation that there are 230 (not 400!) officers of General/Admiral rank, and 2755 fewer personnel since 2018.
South Africa’s Dept of Defence, seemingly under pressure from the Presidency & DIRCO, has postponed the planned naval exercise with Russia & China, Ex MOSI III, which was set for November during SA’s G20 summit.
It’s welcome, but baffling that the DoD considered it appropriate in the first place.
It’s welcome, but baffling that the DoD considered it appropriate in the first place.
September 4, 2025 at 2:43 PM
South Africa’s Dept of Defence, seemingly under pressure from the Presidency & DIRCO, has postponed the planned naval exercise with Russia & China, Ex MOSI III, which was set for November during SA’s G20 summit.
It’s welcome, but baffling that the DoD considered it appropriate in the first place.
It’s welcome, but baffling that the DoD considered it appropriate in the first place.
The Minister of Defence slapping down General Maphwanya and distancing herself from his statements too.
I can’t see how he can continue in his post after this.
I can’t see how he can continue in his post after this.
August 13, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The Minister of Defence slapping down General Maphwanya and distancing herself from his statements too.
I can’t see how he can continue in his post after this.
I can’t see how he can continue in his post after this.
The SANDF has announced that the first group of its troops that formed a part of SAMIDRC will be arriving in South Africa this Friday.
SAMIDRC has been steadily leaving Goma overland through Rwanda to a staging point at Chato in Tanzania. It'll take at least a few more weeks.
SAMIDRC has been steadily leaving Goma overland through Rwanda to a staging point at Chato in Tanzania. It'll take at least a few more weeks.
June 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The SANDF has announced that the first group of its troops that formed a part of SAMIDRC will be arriving in South Africa this Friday.
SAMIDRC has been steadily leaving Goma overland through Rwanda to a staging point at Chato in Tanzania. It'll take at least a few more weeks.
SAMIDRC has been steadily leaving Goma overland through Rwanda to a staging point at Chato in Tanzania. It'll take at least a few more weeks.
Nice pic of a Rooivalk coming into land yesterday for the United Nations Peacekeepers' Day commemorations at the South African DOD Mobilisation Centre at De Brug.
www.facebook.com/SANationalDe...
www.facebook.com/SANationalDe...
May 28, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Nice pic of a Rooivalk coming into land yesterday for the United Nations Peacekeepers' Day commemorations at the South African DOD Mobilisation Centre at De Brug.
www.facebook.com/SANationalDe...
www.facebook.com/SANationalDe...
Rebuilding those capabilities will take years & cost tens of billions of Rands, so this is no small undertaking. You need long range patrol aircraft and long-range ships, both at a high level of readiness, along with a host of associated sensors & equipment. The area is massive.
May 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Rebuilding those capabilities will take years & cost tens of billions of Rands, so this is no small undertaking. You need long range patrol aircraft and long-range ships, both at a high level of readiness, along with a host of associated sensors & equipment. The area is massive.
This bit about allowances is also a misunderstanding, as countries have the freedom to decide their own allocations for UN/AU/SADC per-person payments. Some give nothing directly to soldiers, SA has always given about ⅓ in these missions, using the rest for operational costs.
May 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
This bit about allowances is also a misunderstanding, as countries have the freedom to decide their own allocations for UN/AU/SADC per-person payments. Some give nothing directly to soldiers, SA has always given about ⅓ in these missions, using the rest for operational costs.
This, too, isn't accurate: Neither the SANDF nor the rest of SAMIDRC was specifically deployed to defend or protect any particular town, the withdrawal is not 'disorganised', none sought refuge in UN bases that we know of, and the escort is a negotiated one through Rwanda.
May 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
This, too, isn't accurate: Neither the SANDF nor the rest of SAMIDRC was specifically deployed to defend or protect any particular town, the withdrawal is not 'disorganised', none sought refuge in UN bases that we know of, and the escort is a negotiated one through Rwanda.
First, South Africa isn't withdrawing 'from' SAMIDRC, which would imply SAMIDRC remains in place. SADC ended SAMIDRC's mandate and South African forces are withdrawing along with the other SAMIDRC members, Tanzania & Malawi. Within a few weeks all SAMIDRC forces will be out of the DRC.
May 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
First, South Africa isn't withdrawing 'from' SAMIDRC, which would imply SAMIDRC remains in place. SADC ended SAMIDRC's mandate and South African forces are withdrawing along with the other SAMIDRC members, Tanzania & Malawi. Within a few weeks all SAMIDRC forces will be out of the DRC.
According to the article there's a team at Chato already in place and there has been reconnaissance and clearance of the intended route. M23 have, unsurprisingly, been insisting on searching the trucks, slowing the process.
April 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
According to the article there's a team at Chato already in place and there has been reconnaissance and clearance of the intended route. M23 have, unsurprisingly, been insisting on searching the trucks, slowing the process.
A correction on your story, it wasn’t the DRC government that closed Goma Airport, it was M23 after it took over Goma.
A small part of the runway is damaged from shelling, but M23 has also placed vehicles on the runway, blocking it, and Rwanda has reportedly stationed anti-aircraft systems nearby.
A small part of the runway is damaged from shelling, but M23 has also placed vehicles on the runway, blocking it, and Rwanda has reportedly stationed anti-aircraft systems nearby.
April 16, 2025 at 9:12 PM
A correction on your story, it wasn’t the DRC government that closed Goma Airport, it was M23 after it took over Goma.
A small part of the runway is damaged from shelling, but M23 has also placed vehicles on the runway, blocking it, and Rwanda has reportedly stationed anti-aircraft systems nearby.
A small part of the runway is damaged from shelling, but M23 has also placed vehicles on the runway, blocking it, and Rwanda has reportedly stationed anti-aircraft systems nearby.
The Chief of the SANDF was in Tanzania for a SAMIDRC crisis meeting.
The situation is deteriorating rapidly with the renewed fighting and M23’s reneging on the earlier ceasefire and withdrawal agreement it signed with SADC.
Odds of a good outcome for SAMIDRC are shrinking fast.
The situation is deteriorating rapidly with the renewed fighting and M23’s reneging on the earlier ceasefire and withdrawal agreement it signed with SADC.
Odds of a good outcome for SAMIDRC are shrinking fast.
April 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The Chief of the SANDF was in Tanzania for a SAMIDRC crisis meeting.
The situation is deteriorating rapidly with the renewed fighting and M23’s reneging on the earlier ceasefire and withdrawal agreement it signed with SADC.
Odds of a good outcome for SAMIDRC are shrinking fast.
The situation is deteriorating rapidly with the renewed fighting and M23’s reneging on the earlier ceasefire and withdrawal agreement it signed with SADC.
Odds of a good outcome for SAMIDRC are shrinking fast.
Update: The DRC interior ministry is, according to this release, accusing M23 & the RDF of an ‘organised and simulated’ attack in Goma.
April 13, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Update: The DRC interior ministry is, according to this release, accusing M23 & the RDF of an ‘organised and simulated’ attack in Goma.
Black and gold colour schemes always look incredible on Dassault aircraft.
For instance, here’s the South African Air Force Museum’s Mirage III, ‘Black Widow’.
For instance, here’s the South African Air Force Museum’s Mirage III, ‘Black Widow’.
April 9, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Black and gold colour schemes always look incredible on Dassault aircraft.
For instance, here’s the South African Air Force Museum’s Mirage III, ‘Black Widow’.
For instance, here’s the South African Air Force Museum’s Mirage III, ‘Black Widow’.
Another excellent deep dive from Dean, this time on the SANDF's inexplicable push to renew its contracts with Cuba.
Another thing the presentation glosses over is that costliest part of Thusano — vocational training in Cuba — hasn't been stopped but falls under CHR's budget.
Another thing the presentation glosses over is that costliest part of Thusano — vocational training in Cuba — hasn't been stopped but falls under CHR's budget.
March 20, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Another excellent deep dive from Dean, this time on the SANDF's inexplicable push to renew its contracts with Cuba.
Another thing the presentation glosses over is that costliest part of Thusano — vocational training in Cuba — hasn't been stopped but falls under CHR's budget.
Another thing the presentation glosses over is that costliest part of Thusano — vocational training in Cuba — hasn't been stopped but falls under CHR's budget.
The EAC-SADC joint meeting of ministers was held yesterday. The meeting’s outcomes document requires that, over a phased timetable, Goma & Bukavu airports be re-opened, SAMIDRC be allowed to leave via Goma Airport, and that DRC govt authority be re-established over M23-held areas.
March 18, 2025 at 9:08 AM
The EAC-SADC joint meeting of ministers was held yesterday. The meeting’s outcomes document requires that, over a phased timetable, Goma & Bukavu airports be re-opened, SAMIDRC be allowed to leave via Goma Airport, and that DRC govt authority be re-established over M23-held areas.
The SANDF has posted a summary & photographs of its SAMIDRC contingent's recent memorial service for their fallen colleagues.
Things look quite calm & orderly inside the base. It's not 100% clear whether it's Mubambiro or one of those at the airport.
www.facebook.com/share/1HBDKr...
Things look quite calm & orderly inside the base. It's not 100% clear whether it's Mubambiro or one of those at the airport.
www.facebook.com/share/1HBDKr...
February 24, 2025 at 9:29 PM
The SANDF has posted a summary & photographs of its SAMIDRC contingent's recent memorial service for their fallen colleagues.
Things look quite calm & orderly inside the base. It's not 100% clear whether it's Mubambiro or one of those at the airport.
www.facebook.com/share/1HBDKr...
Things look quite calm & orderly inside the base. It's not 100% clear whether it's Mubambiro or one of those at the airport.
www.facebook.com/share/1HBDKr...