Mashatile says SADC's decision to withdraw troops from DRC is not a sign of defeat

CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile said that the decision by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to withdraw troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) should not be viewed as a sign of defeat. 

He added that the regional body wants to see focus being directed towards peace efforts. 

Two weeks ago, SADC announced that its troops, which include forces from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania will be pulled out of the volatile area.  

All countries have lost troops in the conflict with the M23 rebels, with 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers losing their lives in January. 

Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, the deputy president said South Africa remains committed to peace efforts on the continent.  

Around 3,000 SANDF troops have been stationed in Goma in eastern DRC since December 2023 at a cost of more than R2 billion to the taxpayer.  

READ: Defence analyst Marais says it's concerning SANDF has only six operational military aircraft

Mashatile said that the decision to withdraw should not be viewed as South Africa leaving the DRC in the lurch.  

"It should be seen as a confidence-building measure to ensure peace and stability in the eastern DRC." 

But he was vague about when troops will start to return home.  

"Our troops have a lot of equipment there, so there has to be an organised way in which they are going to withdraw," he said.

Former president Kgalema Motlanthe will form part of the panel to facilitate a peace deal between warring factions in DRC.