SANDF begins second phase of withdrawing troops from DRC
This withdrawal began on Tuesday, following the directives of the South African Development Community heads of state, following a decision taken at a summit meeting.
Armored vehicles belonging to the South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF) contingent of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) drive towards deploy along the road leading to the entrance of the town of Sake, 25km north-west of Goma, on 23 January 2025. Picture: Michael Lunanga/AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The second phase of withdrawing troops of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has begun.
The withdrawal process began on Tuesday, following the directives of the South African Development Community (SADC) heads of state, following a decision taken at a summit meeting.
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In a briefing on Sunday, the national chief of defence, Rudzani Maphwanya, said all their equipment would be shipped to the country via air and land travel.
Maphwanya said the operation was expected to be concluded by the end of May.
"What is important is that this movement had already started on the 29th, where we have started with 13 trucks; that is now the advanced team with 57 members that are currently at the assembly area."
NEW CHAPTER
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said the withdrawal of SANDF forces signifies a new chapter of peacekeeping in the region.
The Minister noted during the briefing that through the rigorous negotiations with SADC, heads of state and key role players in the eastern DRC, steps towards peace were being taken.
Motshekga also mentioned that the peace agreement that was signed by the M23 rebels and the DRC had shown a commitment to end hostility in the region.
“And the outcome of these meetings has led to a decision for the termination of the mission and the withdrawal to allow political and diplomatic interventions to resolve the security situation in the eastern DRC, involving all states and non-state role players.”