South African soldier in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. /Reuters
South African troops begin withdrawal from DR Congo, assemble in Tanzania
The South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) Chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, announced Sunday that troops withdrawing from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are assembling in Tanzania for their return to the country by late May.
The phased withdrawal, which began April 29, involves troops exiting DRC via Rwanda by road, then proceeding to Tanzania for transportation by sea and air.
The soldiers, part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo(SAMIDRC) deployed in December 2023 to counter a resurgence of the M23 armed group, are exiting as M23 rebels took control of the eastern part of the mineral-rich region.
Thirteen trucks carrying 57 SAMIDRC members have reached an assembly point in Tanzania, with more expected to follow next week. Maphwanya noted that most personnel will return to South Africa by end of May, except those overseeing equipment shipment.
The SADC mission, primarily composed of South African troops (estimated at 1,300), ended in mid-March after 17 soldiers, mostly South Africans, were killed in M23 offensives in January. Three Malawian and two Tanzanian soldiers also died.
Separately, South African troops serve in a UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, with two killed in January.
Maphwanya emphasized that the SADC’s unconditional withdrawal, leaving no equipment behind, is a “technical move” to support ongoing peace and mediation efforts, not a retreat or abandonment.
This follows recent U.S.-led talks in Qatar between Congolese and Rwandan representatives to resolve the crisis.
