All SANDF Troops Return Home from DRC Peace-keeping Mission After Ceasefire with M23 Rebels

All withdrawn South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops have returned home from their peacekeeping mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the end of a significant and challenging deployment.

- By Neo Mofokeng

Two hundred and thirty-three soldiers landed at Bram Fischer International Airport in Free State on Wednesday, the last of the deployed troops returning from Goma. Their return follows a ceasefire brokered between the M23 rebel group and the DRC military, bringing relief to families and the nation after a mission that saw both bravery and loss.

A Successful Yet Costly Mission Comes to an End

The SANDF troops were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), a regional effort to restore peace in the volatile North Kivu region. Around 3,000 South African soldiers were deployed over a year ago to support the DRC government against armed groups, including the notorious M23 rebels. The mission, which began in December 2023, aimed to protect civilians and stabilise the area around Goma, a key city in eastern DRC. The soldiers faced tough conditions, with heightened tensions erupting in early 2025. From 23 to 27 January 2025, fierce clashes with M23 rebels claimed the lives of 14 SANDF troops as the group advanced towards Sake and Goma. Despite these losses, the SANDF played a vital role in pushing back the rebels, contributing to the ceasefire that allowed their withdrawal.

The return of the troops has been a phased process. The first group arrived back in South Africa in June, with the final 233 soldiers landing this week. “About 1 718 SANDF troops have now arrived in the country, and more are expected to arrive over the next few weeks,” said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a briefing on Thursday. She praised the soldiers for their courage and dedication to peace in the region.

The Phased Withdrawal and SADC’s Role