Hassan Magulumali
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed it is taking precautionary measures to safeguard its personnel and military equipment as it begins the phased withdrawal of troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The decision follows rising insecurity in the region, where South African forces have been deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), aimed at supporting Congolese troops against the M23 rebel group in North Kivu province.
SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini stated that the withdrawal is being carried out with careful planning to avoid any threats to South African forces on the ground.
Also Read: Warioba, Lissu Discuss Path Forward for Tanzania’s Elections
“We are conducting a structured and secure drawdown of forces. All necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of our soldiers and to protect our equipment during this process,” said Dlamini.
The SANDF has not disclosed the exact timetable or troop numbers involved in the withdrawal.
South Africa’s involvement in the DRC has recently faced scrutiny after several of its soldiers were killed and others injured in confrontations with rebel fighters. The operation has also been impacted by logistical and resource challenges.
The withdrawal aligns with regional discussions about reconfiguring military support in eastern Congo amid complex security dynamics and shifting alliances within the region.
