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SOUTHERN African Development Community (Sadc) troops from Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania who were deployed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are now returning to their respective countries following a directive by the Extraordinary Heads of State and Government Summit held on March 13 in Harare.
The Extraordinary Summit terminated the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) mandate, endorsing a phased withdrawal of the forces and military equipment from the volatile part of the vast country.
This decision dovetails with Sadc Chairperson President Mnangagwa’s vision of cessation of hostilities and giving dialogue a priority to attain regional peace, security and stability.
While confirming complexities that constitute the DRC challenges as a result of the changing geopolitical environment, President Mnangagwa in March told a joint SADC-East African Community (EAC) virtual meeting that efforts also had to be made to persuade conflicting parties to “come to the table and cease the hostilities”.
“We will continue to count on their expertise for the desired results in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. We all agreed that the conflict is complex and requires us to address its root causes. This can only be achieved through an inclusive and honest dialogue,” said President Mnangagwa in a joint virtual SADC-East Africa Community (EAC) meeting in March.
In a statement yesterday, The SADC Secretariat indicated that the withdrawal process which started on Tuesday, is being conducted by road with the participating forces transiting through Rwanda to their respective countries.
“The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially commenced with the withdrawal from the eastern DRC as of April 29, 2025.
“The withdrawal is being conducted by road, transiting through the Republic of Rwanda to the respective Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs).
“This action is in accordance with the directive of the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held on March 13, 2025, which announced the termination of the SAMIDRC mandate and endorsed the phased withdrawal of the Mission,” the statement said.
The first withdrawal phase on Tuesday involved a convoy of vehicles carrying 57 troops — 32 South Africans, 16 Malawians and nine Tanzanians — that departed the La Corniche Border Post in Rwanda’s Rubavu District.
The statement also reaffirmed SADC’s continued commitment to regional peace and security, noting the bloc remained engaged in supporting diplomatic and political efforts towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC.
The 16-member SADC deployed troops for the mission to eastern DR Congo in December 2023 with a mandate to support Congolese armed forces in combating armed groups in the east.
According to the United Nations, at least 700 000 Congolese have been displaced by the conflict in eastern DRC since late January.
Following the SADC directive, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe last month revealed that the bloc had sought permission to use Rwandan territory for the departure of its troops.
The departure of the SAMIDRC forces also follows outcomes from the March 28 meeting between Chiefs of Defence Force of Contributing Countries (FCCs) and representatives from the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a rebel alliance that includes the M23 rebels.
The AFC and the M23 rebels last week agreed to work towards a truce with President Felix Tshisekedi’s government after the latter held talks committing to an “immediate ceasefire” with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, in a deal brokered by Qatar in Doha on March 15.
In January, South Africa lost 14 soldiers in clashes with M23 rebels for control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, now under the control of the rebel group.
Online Reporter