The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has commenced its final troop withdrawal from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with completion expected by the end of May.
South African National Defence Force Chief, Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya, confirmed the exit began on 29 April as 13 trucks transported 57 advance troops from the conflict-ridden city of Goma to an assembly point in Tanzania.
At a press briefing in Pretoria, Maphwanya detailed that all troops will regroup in Tanzania before returning to their home countries. South Africa will airlift personnel and ship equipment via sea.
This phased withdrawal follows a cease-fire agreement between Congolese forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, endorsed by regional leaders seeking to end years of armed conflict.
“There is a genuine will to give peace a chance,” said Maphwanya. “We believe both sides will honour the cease-fire unconditionally.”
Lt. Gen. Siphiwe Sangweni, Chief of Joint Operations, described the movement from Goma—the designated “red zone”—to Tanzania’s “green zone” as challenging due to treacherous roads and mechanical breakdowns during the two-day journey.
Once repatriated, returning South African troops will be housed at a demobilisation camp in Bloemfontein for rest and reintegration, Sangweni added.
Defence Minister Angelina Motshekga hailed the withdrawal as a turning point in SADC’s regional peacekeeping mandate, signalling a hopeful shift towards diplomacy over arms.
Malawi and Tanzania, alongside South Africa, have been key contributors to the SADC deployment in the volatile eastern provinces of the DRC.
