By May 31, South African troops involved in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission are set to conclude their withdrawal from the tumultuous eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), an announcement confirmed on Sunday.
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The methodical exit commenced on April 29, as troops began departing the conflict-ridden Goma, journeying toward an assembly site in Tanzania.
Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defense Force, unveiled the logistics during a briefing in Pretoria, stating, “Thirteen trucks with 57 troops have already left.” Their subsequent transportation home involves airlifts from Tanzania, while their equipment takes a maritime route.
Why make this move now? The decision aligns with a cease-fire pact between Congolese forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, a testament to the peace aspirations both sides hold. “Violence isn’t the pathway to peace,” Maphwanya remarked, hinting at optimism for lasting truce adherence.
A Withdrawal Marked by Complexity
Pulling out from Goma’s perilous “red zone” to Tanzania’s relatively secure “green zone” presents a web of challenges.
Lt. Gen. Siphiwe Sangweni, Chief of Joint Operations, detailed the journey’s arduous nature: “Though the distance seems short, treacherous roads stretched travel to two days.” Along this path, mechanical failures tested their resolve.
Once in South Africa, troops will recuperate at a demobilization point in Bloemfontein, where they can pause and reflect.
Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Angelina Motshekga, hailed the withdrawal as a pivotal stride toward regional tranquility, emphasizing diplomacy’s enduring role.
Ending One Chapter, Ushering Another
Initially deployed in December 2023 amid a surge in M23 hostilities, the SADC mission’s cessation marks a new era. Tragically, the mission bore the weight of losses, with 17 soldiers, mostly South Africans, perishing in the violence of January.
While the precise size of the SADC force eludes public knowledge, South Africa’s contribution was substantial, deploying an estimated 1,300 soldiers. Malawi and Tanzania also extended their support. Importantly, this withdrawal is not a concession but a calculated step in favor of continued peace dialogues.
Maphwanya elaborated, “This technical withdrawal fosters ongoing mediation, leaving no equipment behind—’not even a pin.'”
Broader Efforts for Regional Peace
Concurrently, international diplomacy weaves its course to tackle the crisis.
Recently, a senior Africa advisor from U.S. President Donald Trump’s circle engaged with Congolese and Rwandan officials in Qatar, aiming to broker peace.
The M23, wielding control over extensive territories in the mineral-rich DRC, faces accusations of Rwandan support, charges both the U.S. and UN experts assert, yet Rwanda fervently denies.
The landscape of diplomatic endeavors is complex, but history tells us that resolution often requires weaving a fabric of dialogue from the threads of conflict. Can shared aspirations weave lasting peace?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
