Pretoria: The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, has welcomed the return of 249 South African troops who were deployed to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
According to South African Government News Agency, the first group of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) arrived at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on Friday from Tanzania, following South Africa’s phased withdrawal from the regional peacekeeping mission.
Minister Motshekga expressed her appreciation for the troops’ patriotism and commitment to defending South Africa’s territorial integrity and supporting its people, as mandated by the constitution. The withdrawal was announced earlier in May after consultations with various role-players involved in the peacekeeping efforts in the eastern DRC.
This year, 14 troop members lost their lives and others were injured during clashes with the M23 rebel group as fighting intensified in the Goma region. The rebel group engaged in intense battles with the Congolese armed forces, resulting in casualties between January 23 and January 27, 2025, during M23’s advance on Sake and Goma.
The South African soldiers were an integral part of SAMIDRC, an initiative aimed at restoring peace, security, and stability in the DRC. Motshekga emphasized the meticulous withdrawal process, including the safe retrieval of all Prime Mission Equipment (PME), which is currently underway.
The Minister reassured that all necessary logistical support will continue until the withdrawal is fully completed, with a commitment to not leaving any equipment behind. The process is being coordinated with regional counterparts to ensure it proceeds efficiently and with minimal risks.
Motshekga assured the South African public that the government will keep them informed of developments as the withdrawal process progresses. The focus now shifts to the standard procedure of demobilisation, which includes crucial psychosocial sessions for the troops before they return to their respective units and families.
She reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southern African region.