Latest news with #SAMIDRC
The South African
4 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
South African troops: Withdrawing from the DRC peace mission
South African troops joined the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) under Operation THIBA. The mission aimed to assist the Congolese army in neutralising rebel armed groups while securing humanitarian routes in North Kivu. On 17 November 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the SADC signed a Status-of-Forces Agreement (SOFA). The presidential report of 12 February 2024 states that President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised 2 900 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) under Section 201(2)(c). The SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government approved SAMIDRC on 8 May 2023. The March 23 Movement (M23), founded in 2012 by Sultan Makenga and Bertrand Bisimwa, resumed fighting in late 2022. The M23 accuses the DRC of breaking the 2009 peace agreement on rebel integration and discriminating against the Congolese Tutsis. The DRC charges M23 with war crimes and accuses it of acting as a proxy for Rwanda. United Nations (UN) Report S/2024/969 described Rwanda's military assistance to M23, including its troop presence in the east of the DRC. The UN Resolution 2773 condemned foreign support for armed groups in eastern DRC, specifically M23. The SAMIDRC mission, including troops from Tanzania and Malawi, operated in the eastern DRC, including Sake and Rutshuru. M23 mortar attacks near Sake killed nine of the South African soldiers; a further fatality later brought the total to 14 through the mission. Tanzania and Malawi troops also suffered losses. Defence analyst Helmoed Heitman told SABC News the mission's success was limited due to a lack of air support and unrealistic terrain expectations. After the 13 March 2025 summit, SADC leaders agreed to end SAMIDRC. South Africa began withdrawing troops on 29 April 2025. According to the SADC communiqué, M23's takeover of Goma and Bukavu and blockade of aid routes made the mission impossible. Rising costs and casualties were also key factors in the decision to terminate the mission. During the withdrawal, the military evacuated equipment via Rwanda due to damage to Goma's airstrip. 249 members of the SANDF returned to Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria from the DRC on 13 June 2025. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga welcomed the troops and reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous African region. South African troops began a four-day demobilisation programme with reintegration assistance, health examinations, and trauma counselling. The remaining soldiers are expected to be home by the end of June 2025. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
eNCA
4 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
SAMIDRC troops return to their respective nations
JOHANNESBURG - Two batches of South African soldiers have now returned home after a long withdrawal route from the DRC. The troops were deployed as part of a Southern African Development Community force called SAMIDRC. 14 South Africa soldiers were killed in January as M23 rebels pushed towards the East and later the mission was aborted. Since the end of April troops have been withdrawing from the DRC using trucks to travel overland and they've now flown in from Tanzania.
SowetanLIVE
4 days ago
- SowetanLIVE
Demobilisation programme instituted as second SANDF group returns from DRC
A second batch of 257 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers arrived at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on Sunday after the termination of the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). A third flight is expected on Monday. A chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787 landed in Pretoria late on Sunday afternoon after flying from the SAMIDRC staging ground in Tanzania. The troops on board were due to make their way to Bloemfontein for demobilisation, either by bus or on the SA Air Force's single airworthy C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The SANDF in a statement said the phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. 'Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services.' The first 249 troops arrived on Friday evening. They were supposed to fly to Bloemfontein but as ground handling support was not in place, they were flown to Waterkloof and bussed overnight to Bloemfontein. The SANDF said it expected the return of remaining troops to be better co-ordinated. Director of defence corporate communication Rear Adm (JG) Prince Tshabalala, acknowledged concerns over Friday's delayed flight, saying its six-hour-plus delay was due to a last-minute aircraft change by Air Tanzania, which was beyond the control of the SANDF. The airline 'only notified the SANDF at a very late stage that they were experiencing challenges with passenger stairways, therefore opted to land in a bigger airport. To compound this, the SANDF was only informed shortly when the soldiers were en route about the aircraft that it could not land at Bram Fischer International Airport due to its size.' The Sadc is organising logistics around the return of SAMIDRC troops, including those from the other two troop contributing countries (Malawi and Tanzania). 'We remain committed to ensuring that all returning soldiers are welcomed home with dignity and that all future logistical arrangements are as seamless as possible,' Tshabalala said.
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Demobilisation programme instituted as second SANDF group returns from DRC
A second batch of 257 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers arrived at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on Sunday after the termination of the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). A third flight is expected on Monday. A chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787 landed in Pretoria late on Sunday afternoon after flying from the SAMIDRC staging ground in Tanzania. The troops on board were due to make their way to Bloemfontein for demobilisation, either by bus or on the SA Air Force's single airworthy C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The SANDF in a statement said the phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. 'Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services.' The first 249 troops arrived on Friday evening. They were supposed to fly to Bloemfontein but as ground handling support was not in place, they were flown to Waterkloof and bussed overnight to Bloemfontein. The SANDF said it expected the return of remaining troops to be better co-ordinated. Director of defence corporate communication Rear Adm (JG) Prince Tshabalala, acknowledged concerns over Friday's delayed flight, saying its six-hour-plus delay was due to a last-minute aircraft change by Air Tanzania, which was beyond the control of the SANDF. The airline 'only notified the SANDF at a very late stage that they were experiencing challenges with passenger stairways, therefore opted to land in a bigger airport. To compound this, the SANDF was only informed shortly when the soldiers were en route about the aircraft that it could not land at Bram Fischer International Airport due to its size.' The Sadc is organising logistics around the return of SAMIDRC troops, including those from the other two troop contributing countries (Malawi and Tanzania). 'We remain committed to ensuring that all returning soldiers are welcomed home with dignity and that all future logistical arrangements are as seamless as possible,' Tshabalala said.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
South Africa withdraws troops from DRC as first 249 soldiers return home
South Africa has officially begun withdrawing its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the first group of soldiers having arrived in Pretoria last Friday night. South Africa has started withdrawing its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The withdrawal is part of the SADC's decision to end its mission in eastern DRC. The mission, SAMIDRC, supported efforts against armed groups in the region since December 2023. According to a Sputnik Afrique report, a total of 249 soldiers were welcomed by South Africa's Defence Minister, Angie Motshekga, who praised them for their ' unwavering patriotism" in the DRC, one of the continent's most volatile conflict zone. In a statement to journalists, Motshekga said, ' They served our country and our continent with courage and distinction under difficult conditions.' 'We are working around the clock with our partners in the region to ensure that our equipment is safely returned. We shall not leave even a pin behind. ' She added, reflecting a statement made by the country's Chief General, Rudzani Maphwanya. The withdrawal follows the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announcement in March to end its mission in eastern DRC, after the deaths of 17 soldiers in the region, including troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania. The reported deaths sparked renewed calls by concerned relatives for South Africa's military disengagement from the conflict. The mission, known as SAMIDRC, had been deployed in December 2023, to support Congolese forces in pushing back against armed groups destabilizing the mineral-rich North and South Kivu provinces, which border Rwanda and have been plagued by years of violence. The origin of external military operations in the region stems from the violence and humanitarian crises triggered by the M23 rebel group, which is believed to be backed by Rwanda and controls large swathes of territory. SA debunks retreat, casualty count rises Reports indicate that at least 14 South African soldiers under the SADC mission were killed in the line of duty in January, including two serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force. Troops from Malawi and Tanzania have also suffered losses. South Africa's Defence Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya stressed in May that the withdrawal was not a retreat, but rather a 'technical move that allows peace and mediation to continue.' SADC' s decision to withdraw marks a turning point for the region, shifting focus from direct military involvement to supporting long-term peacebuilding and diplomatic engagement in the DRC. While South Africa has not confirmed when the remaining troops will return, defence officials say the process will be carried out in stages, in coordination with SADC member states and Congolese authorities. The situation in eastern Congo remains volatile, with millions of civilians displaced.
