SA troops deployed in DRC to be withdrawn

CAPE TOWN - South African troops stationed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are going to be withdrawn.

An extraordinary summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state on Thursday terminated the mandate of its troops stationed in the eastern part of that country since December 2023.

A communique issued following Thursday’s Harare meeting indicates that troops will be withdrawn in stages.

The contingent includes around 3,000 South African soldiers.

Following the deaths of 16 South African soldiers in January, there have been mounting calls within the country for the troops to be withdrawn.

But the South African contingent is part of a SADC mission, which includes Malawi and Tanzania, and the decision had to be taken by SADC leaders.

Thursday’s extraordinary meeting of heads of state, which included President Cyril Ramaphosa, ordered the phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the DRC.

A communique said the decision followed an update the meeting received on the security situation in the DRC and a report on the SADC mission.

The summit commended the troops for their selflessness and diligence and said it was still committed to addressing the ongoing conflict in the DRC.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to support interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace to the eastern DRC.

The summit has reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic solution with all parties for the restoration of peace, security and tranquility in the country.

The summit also noted the increasing humanitarian needs in the DRC and has called on the international community, including the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU), to provide assistance.