Withdrawal of troops from DRC not a sign of weakness, says SANDF
The first group of SANDF soldiers and other regional troops were withdrawn last week, after a decision by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in March.
FILE: SANDF troops. Pictures: Katlego Jiyane/ Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says the withdrawal of troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is not a sign of weakness for South Africa’s military, as the second phase of the withdrawal gets underway.
The first group of SANDF soldiers and other regional troops were withdrawn last week, after a decision by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in March.
Around 3,000 SANDF troops have been stationed in Goma, in Eastern DRC, since December 2023 in peacekeeping efforts amid tensions between the DRC armed forces and M23 rebels.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and SANDF top brass briefed the media on the withdrawal in Pretoria on Sunday.
Since capturing the city of Goma earlier this year, the M23 rebels also went on to seize other critical cities in the Eastern provinces of the DRC.
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Thousands were displaced and killed in the process, including 14 South African troops in the prolonged conflict in the mineral-rich region.
After months of intense fighting, the Congolese government and M23 rebels agreed to a ceasefire brokered through Qatar-mediated talks.
Although there is still some caution about the situation, SANDF chief Rudzani Maphwanya says the withdrawal of soldiers is a sign of peace and stability in the region.
“The chiefs of the defence forces of the two contributing countries, that is, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, accompanied by the director of the organ, went to Goma, met up with the leadership of M23. I was part of that team, and we got that commitment that they will observe the ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities.”
'PEACE WAS OUR FINAL OBJECTIVE'
SANDF officials have again defended a decision to deploy their soldiers to the DRC as regional troops wind down the SADC mission.
Maphwanhya described the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) mission as a success.
“We see SAMIDRC as having contributed to that effort to ensure that there is an inclusive engagement that eventually is leading towards peace, because peace was our final objective. There is a lot that we have learnt from this operation, much as there is a lot we learnt from previous operations.”
The second phase of withdrawal is expected to end this month.