Latest news with #SadcMission
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.
The Herald
13-06-2025
- The Herald
'Logistical challenges' delay SANDF soldiers' midday arrival: Motshekga
Defence and military veterans minister Angie Motshekga says the midday arrival of the first group of South African National Defence Force troops who were deployed to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been delayed due to technical and logistical challenges. The group included 249 troops due to arrive from Tanzania. They were part of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Mission in the DRC. Motshekga said the troops were expected to fly from Tanzania and their latest estimated arrival was Saturday morning. 'The indication is the arrival has been delayed due to technical and logistical challenges with the contracted airline. We have been assured they are on board and will arrive any time today [Friday] or tomorrow [Saturday].' Sadc, which is facilitating the flights, had challenges with the contracting airline company.
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'We will remember them': SANDF pays tribute to fallen soldiers
The chief of the SANDF, Gen Rudzani Maphwanya, says the force is now at a critical phase of withdrawal from the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), where South African troops have been deployed to support peace efforts. 'The contingent equipment of all the countries that had contributed troops and equipment is already at above 65% to the assembly area,' he said. The SANDF observed the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on Thursday to honour the professionalism, dedication and sacrifice of UN peacekeepers — past and present — who have served in the pursuit of peace. Maphwanya paid tribute to the 14 SANDF members who lost their lives while serving in the DRC, describing them as 'heroes whose blood nurtured the roots of peace'. 'Their wounds are still fresh. They were fighting for the Congolese people's right to a peaceful and stable existence. I say with unwavering conviction that their sacrifice was not in vain. 'Their toil, their blood, is the tree we see today, a tree bearing the nascent fruits of peace and stability in that nation. However, we are not under any illusion that our work is complete. We recognise that we are still a long way from achieving our ultimate goal of lasting peace and stability.' he said.
TimesLIVE
04-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'Troop withdrawal from DRC to pave way for continued peace efforts and mediation processes': SANDF
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says the withdrawal of troops deployed as part of the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo does not signal an abandonment of the people, but is a technical move intended to pave the way for continued peace efforts and mediation processes. On Sunday, defence minister Angie Motshekga shared developments of the withdrawal, confirming that SANDF troops, deployed alongside partner forces from Tanzania and Malawi, have begun withdrawing from the mission area. She said this follows a series of extensive regional diplomatic engagements, high-level consultations with key stakeholders and notable progress in the ongoing peace efforts in the eastern DRC. 'The withdrawal of SANDF troops from the eastern DRC marks a new chapter in our regional peacekeeping efforts. This reflects confidence in the DRC's quest to manage its internal security challenges with reduced external military presence, supported by ongoing diplomatic and development partnerships,' she said. Chief of the SANDF Gen Rudzani Maphwanya said the withdrawal was being done systematically in a phased manner. 'We are withdrawing with the pride that there is an element of peace because M23 committed that there will be an element of peace. And therefore our withdrawal must be seen in the context that the political effort to have peace and stability in the DRC is now on the horizon,' he said. Maphwanya said the decision to withdraw troops followed a meeting between the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and East African Community (EAC), where regional chiefs of defence forces agreed on a co-ordinated blueprint to address the conflict in the eastern DRC. According to Maphwanya, the agreement acknowledged that the cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire had created a foundation for mediation to take precedence. 'We cannot shoot our way to peace. We therefore indicated that we will support the effort by our political leadership,' he said. He said the leadership of the M23 rebel group had committed to observing the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. To secure this commitment, chiefs of defence forces from the contributing countries — South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania — along with the Sadc Organ's director — had travelled to Goma to meet the M23 leadership. 'This withdrawal is not accidental and withdrawal is not a sign of weakness. It's a position of the political effort to say that there is peace and stability in the eastern DRC, and therefore we are withdrawing with that pride to say there is an element of peace because M23 committed to the cessation of hostilities. DRC had to also sign an undertaking with M23.' Maphwanya said the troops are going to the assembly area identified in Tanzania and will have to pass through Rwanda 'It had been negotiated and discussed by Sadc leadership that it is a thoroughfare to our assembly area and from the assembly area, which is in Tanzania, all the forces will go to their respective countries in one way or another.' He said equipment would be transported by sea to South Africa while personnel would travel by air. The withdrawal started on April 29 with 13 trucks. The second batch would follow and the withdrawal would be concluded by the end of May, he said. Maphwanya said the cost of the withdrawal would not fall solely on South Africa, as the process was being co-ordinated by the Sadc. He said the regional body has established a dedicated budget for the withdrawal, funded by contributions from all Sadc member states.
