SANDF soldiers returning from DR Congo expected to arrive home today

South African troops deployed in the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo began withdrawing on Thursday as part of a regional mission, and the first soldiers are expected to return home today (on Friday), authorities confirmed.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced in March that it would end the military mission in the mineral-rich region after 17 of its soldiers died in intensifying clashes between government forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.

According to a statement from SADC, the first phase of the withdrawal, which started in April, focused on removing equipment and other logistical assets.

The second phase that started on Thursday “entails the repatriation of mission personnel along with their personal belongings, and the remaining operational equipment”, it said.

Restore peace

The South African National Defence Force announced that the first group of South African troops would arrive on Friday at a military base in Bloemfontein.

The SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which included soldiers from Malawi, Tanzania, and South Africa, deployed to the region in December 2023 to support the DRC government—also a SADC member—in restoring peace and stability.

Since then, the M23 rebel group has captured large parts of North and South Kivu provinces, including the key provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, earlier this year.

Stationed in Goma and Sake, the SAMIDRC troops “will be transported to the United Republic of Tanzania where the Tanzanian contingent will continue to Dar es Salaam”, the SADC statement said.

“South African and Malawian contingents will be airlifted to their respective countries,” it said.

The size of the deployment was never made public, but analysts estimate it to number at least 1 300 soldiers, with South Africa contributing most of the troops.