SADC troop withdrawal from DRC begins

The first of SA’s soldiers have safely withdrawn from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), reports News24. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops have been based there as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which has been directed to withdraw following an Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held in March. SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya said that the first group of soldiers have arrived at the assembly point in Tanzania, along with 13 trucks carrying equipment, to prepare for the arrival of the remaining troops. He said the second phase of the withdrawal will start this week. Thirty of the 57 SAMIDRC members in the first group to withdraw are SA soldiers. Maphwanya said that engagements had been held with Rwanda to allow for the safe movement of SAMIDRC troops by road from Eastern DRC to Tanzania. Personnel will be transferred home from the assembly point in Tanzania via air, and SANDF equipment will be transported by sea. The SANDF would not be drawn on timelines as to when its equipment and troops were expected back in SA, saying that most of the personnel are likely to return by the end of the month. The cost of the withdrawal will be footed by the SADC, Maphwanya said. SANDF troops have been deployed in the Goma and Sake territories, together with troops from Tanzania and Malawi.

Full News24 report