It is envisaged that by the end of May most of the South African soldiers and personnel who were deployed in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will be on home ground.
The phased withdrawal of personnel and equipment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has commenced on 29 April from the DRC. The withdrawal followed a directive issued by a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government meeting. This was held virtually on 13 March.
The withdrawal plan via road through Rwanda and Tanzania was also endorsed at the meeting. Furthermore, the SADC Heads of State confirmed the end of the mandate of this mission. The gradual withdrawal of the force deployed in the east of the DRC was also confirmed.
This deployment was an active regional peacekeeping mission operated by SADC. In December 2023, the DRC said SADC troops were mandated “to support the Congolese army in fighting and eradicating the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) and other armed groups that continue to disrupt peace and security.”
Troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi started deploying in Sake and surrounding areas near Goma in the DRC in December 2023.
Confidentiality of withdrawal plan emphasised
At a media briefing on 4 May, chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, emphasised the withdrawal phase of deployed forces is in military terms an operation that requires confidentiality and security of information.
“We will therefore share with you what is possible to do so,” he said. Maphwanya stated technical teams were assigned to conduct ground reconnaissance. This was to assess infrastructure and logistical capacity of strategic routes and facilities.
“In accordance with the plan, it is envisaged that most of the personnel will be in South Africa by end of May, except for those who have to oversee the shipping part of the equipment,” he said.
Movement of logistics and personnel will be by road from the Eastern DRC via Rwanda to Tanzania. The group that left on 29 April and some elements of the advance teams have already arrived in Tanzania.
The movement from Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania to South Africa will be by air for personnel and by sea for cargo.
This is taking place as part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).
At the media briefing, minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, said over the past four months, the region has witnessed renewed momentum towards peace and stability in the eastern provinces of the DRC.
As a result, and as informed by the summit on 13 March, the SAMIDRC, in consultation with troop contributing countries, resolved to initiate a phased withdrawal of its forces, including those of the SANDF.
Motshekga said the withdrawal will be a structured process. It is designed to ensure the safe return of South African troops and equipment.
The withdrawal will take place in phases. Also, the SANDF will provide regular updates to the public regarding the return of South African soldiers to the country.
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