SADC Orders Withdrawal of Troops From Eastern DRC, South Africans Think It’s Long Overdue

• The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will withdraw troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
• Troops were stationed in the eastern DRC, where they were battling M23 rebels in the country
• South Africans were relieved that soldiers were coming home, but stated that it was also long overdue

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has spent a decade reporting on the South African political landscape, crime and social issues.

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers will finally be returning home from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Thanks to a decision made by Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders, troops stationed in the country will be withdrawn.

The decision was made on Thursday, 13 March 2025 during a virtual meeting to discuss the conflict in the country which left 14 SANDF soldiers dead.

SADC leaders agree on phased withdrawal

During the meeting, the SADC decided to withdraw troops attached to the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). The approach will be a phased withdrawal. Troops have been stationed in the country to help the DRC battle M23 rebels.

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"We terminated the mandate of SAMIDRC and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of troops from the DRC," regional bloc leaders said on Thursday.

The SADC stated that it would find other interventions to bring peace and security to eastern DRC.

What you need to know about SANDF troops in the DRC

• The Presidency slammed reports that Cyril Ramaphosa's mining interests are the reason for SANDF's deployment in the DRC.
• The SANDF announced that the remains of the soldiers killed in the DRC would be repatriated on 5 February 2025.
• Injured SANDF soldiers have returned home for treatment, including two pregnant soldiers.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa handed over the remains of the 14 SANDF soldiers who died in Goma
• Soldiers in the SANDF are reportedly under attack in Goma and retreating is out of the question

South Africans celebrate the news

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Social media users were relieved that the troops were finally coming home, but some vented that it should have been done a long time ago. Others questioned what would happen to the funds that were allocated to the mission during Enoch Gondongwana’s budget speech.

Promise Malape Mohlala said:

“After R5 billion was allocated to soldiers yesterday during the budget speech? The ANC really knows how to loot.”

Piccadilly Carreras added:

“Just after losing our soldiers. I wish this decision was taken months ago.”

Sibusiso Zulu stated:

“It's been long overdue. Those who have business interests in DRC can send their security guards there.”

Rooi Truman said:

“Just a day after our government allocated billions of rands to our soldiers in DRC. What is going to happen to those billions?”

Thabo Dismental Kgomo added:

“Good decision. It is so unfortunate that SANDF has lost some of its members.”

Nokuthula Masimula stated:

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“That is great. Bring our soldiers back.”

SANDF soldiers buy their own boots

In a related article, it was reported that SANDF soldiers had to buy their own boots before they were deployed.

Briefly News also noted that soldiers only had one meal a day while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

South Africans were disgusted by the way the government has run the SANDF into the ground over the years.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News