A second group of South African peacekeepers returned home Sunday, marking a key step in the withdrawal of Southern African forces from eastern Congo.
The soldiers landed at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria, following the arrival of 249 troops from Tanzania on Friday.
A third group is expected Monday, completing South Africa’s contribution to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission.
SADC began pulling out troops in April after ending the mission’s mandate in March. The withdrawal also includes equipment and logistical operations.
The peacekeeping mission was deployed in May 2023 to support Congolese forces battling the M23 rebel group in the volatile eastern provinces.
Since December 2024, the M23 rebels have seized territory, including the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu, fuelling fresh waves of violence.
At least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 South Africans, died in clashes with rebel forces, underscoring the mission’s perilous nature.
Despite diplomatic mediation by Qatar’s emir, fighting continues in the Rutshuru region, with reports of heavy artillery fire and fresh casualties.
Congo’s government accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, a charge Rwanda firmly denies, deepening regional tensions.
Prime Minister Judith Suminwa said over 7,000 people have been killed this year alone, while the UN reports more than 7.8 million displaced.
As the peacekeepers depart, the shadow of war lingers over Congo, where hope for stability remains fragile and distant.
