South Africa’s Defense Minister, Angie Motshekga, has stated that there is a need to reassess whether the Southern African Development Community (SADC) military mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) should continue. The SADC troops, including those from South Africa, were deployed to assist the Congolese government in combating rebel groups, notably the Rwanda-backed M23 movement.
Minister Motshekga made these remarks in an interview with Reuters on Friday when asked whether South Africa planned to withdraw its troops from the DRC. She responded that the issue was currently under review.
She further stated that the heads of state from both SADC and the East African Community (EAC) are set to meet soon to make an official announcement regarding the future of the mission.
In a brief message sent via mobile phone, Minister Motshekga emphasized: “South Africa operates within these regional organizations, and any decision on withdrawing or maintaining troops in the DRC will be based on resolutions made by these bodies.”
South Africa’s military involvement in the DRC has faced significant domestic criticism, especially after M23 rebels captured the strategic city of Goma in January. During the offensive, South African troops found themselves encircled, struggling to find an exit strategy.
By late February, nearly 200 soldiers from SADC member states were still trapped in Goma due to the M23 offensive. They were eventually allowed to withdraw and return to their home countries. M23 leaders claimed that among the evacuated soldiers were injured troops from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi.
