Keely Goodall26 May 2025 | 7:42
Rwanda forces retreating South African soldiers to disarm. It’s ‘standard practice’, says military expert
South African soldiers are attempting to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Rwanda.
SANDF army defence force soldiers
Zain Johnson (in for Africa Melane on 702 and CapeTalk) speaks with Helmoed Heitman, a Military and Defence Analyst.
Listen below:
South African soldiers stationed in the DRC have been told to disarm before entering Rwanda, an ally of the M23 rebels they have been fighting.
Heitman says it is standard to have troops disarmed before entering another country.
“You don’t really want armed troops from other countries trundling through your country.”
- Helmoed Heitman, military analyst
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He adds that there is unlikely to be any real risk with this withdrawal, as the Rwandans will not want to just pick an unnecessary fight.
The weapons would stay with the contingent and move with them to the airport before they fly out.
Scroll up to the audio player for more.