South Africa begins withdrawal of troops from DRC

’NOT IN THE JAMES BOND BUSINESS’

- RAPULA MOATSHE

THE phased withdrawal of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops from the war-prone eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) marks a significant new chapter in regional peace-keeping efforts.

This was according to Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, who gave an update regarding the phased withdrawal of SANDF during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday.

She explained that the withdrawal was a structured process, designed to ensure the safe return of both troops and equipment was not compromised.

The soldiers were deployed in the DRC in December 2023 as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and UN peacekeeping deployments.

Earlier this year, opposition parties expressed sadness over the deaths of 14 SANDF members in eastern DRC and called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Motshekga to provide answers.

The soldiers were killed and several injured during intense combat with the M23 rebel group near Goma.

Motshekga praised the "brave men and women of the SANDF" for serving with honour, pride, professionalism, and commitment under extremely challenging circumstances.