Divya Delhi: President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa paid tribute to the 14 South African troops who lost their lives in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last month. Ramaphosa said the troops lost their lives "in defense of the defenseless" and in attempts to bring peace to Africa during a ceremony held at Swartkop Air Force Base. In January, rebels killed the soldiers who were on a peacekeeping assignment. Ramaphosa backed recent negotiations aimed at reaching a political settlement and reiterated South Africa's commitment to putting an end to the bloodshed in the DRC. He also reopened peace negotiations between the warring sides and demanded a ceasefire.