{"id":82843,"date":"2025-05-06T17:41:31","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T15:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/?p=82843"},"modified":"2025-05-06T17:41:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T15:41:33","slug":"sa-troops-withdrawing-from-drc-expected-to-be-home-by-end-of-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/sa-troops-withdrawing-from-drc-expected-to-be-home-by-end-of-may\/","title":{"rendered":"SA troops withdrawing from DRC expected to be home by end of May"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The phased withdrawal of personnel and equipment of the South African National Defence Force<\/a> (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Troops of the South African National Defence Force in the DRC during the Remembrance Day Parade on 11 November 2024. Photo: SANDF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi started deploying in Sake and surrounding areas near Goma in the DRC in December 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confidentiality of withdrawal plan emphasised<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya during the media briefing on 4 May. Photo: SANDF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The movement from Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania to South Africa will be by air for personnel and by sea for cargo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is taking place as part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga at the media briefing on 4 May. Photo: SANDF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motshekga said the withdrawal will be a structured process. It is designed to ensure the safe return of South African troops and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) held a handing over ceremony and a memorial service of 14 fallen heroes at the Swartkop Air Force Military Base in Pretoria, on Thursday, 13 February 2025. In late January, 14 soldiers of the SANDF lost their lives<\/a> while fighting M23 rebels in and around Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: SANDF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By late May, most South African troops deployed in the DRC will return home as part of a phased withdrawal following SADC 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soldiers coming home from DRC: Withdrawal plan | Noordkaap Bulletin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"By late May, most South African troops deployed in the DRC will return home as part of a phased withdrawal following SADC directives.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/sa-troops-withdrawing-from-drc-expected-to-be-home-by-end-of-may\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"SA troops withdrawing from DRC expected to be home by end of May\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By late May, most South African troops deployed in the DRC will return home as part of a phased withdrawal following SADC directives.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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