JOHANNESBURG - As the African Union Summit convenes, leaders from across the continent gather to address pressing issues.
These include the theme of this year's summit: "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations."
This critical dialogue seeks to confront historical injustices and promote healing and accountability.
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Delegates are expected to focus also on potential resolutions to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sipho Mantula, an Africa analyst and researcher at UNISA had a discussion with eNCA.
During the summit it is expected that delegates will seek ways to address the DRC conflict that has claimed lives of 14 South African soldiers.
The deceased SANDF members were part of a United Nation peace keeping mission in the east of DRC.
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Their deaths have caused an uproar and raised concerns about the capability of the SANDF in dealing with threats on the battlefield.
John Stupard, who is a defence analyst says the SANDF does not have enough funding and equipment to fend-off threats and defend themselves.
The South African Parliament requested the Minister of Defence and Military Vterans, Angie Motshekga to give answers on the DRC conflict.
Members of the assembly raised questions on how troops were unable to protect themselves from rebels when under attack.
During this year's SONA, President Cyril Ramaphosa honoured the lives of the fallen SA troops. He quested for national flags to be flown at half-mast for a week.
Some opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance have labeled Angie Motshekga as "blantaly incompetence" and "lack of care".
Umkhonto Wesizwe Party's Nhlamulo Ndhlela has put the blame for the death of the 14 soldiers on the government.