Cape Town – The Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, says the withdrawal of SANDF troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at a critical stage.
The phased withdrawal, which began on 29 April 2025, follows agreements between SADC and the East African Community (EAC), after the loss of 14 South African soldiers in clashes with the M23 rebel group.
Speaking at the UN Peacekeepers International Day in Bloemfontein, Maphwanya paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, emphasising the high cost of peacekeeping and reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to future peace missions.
PART 2 || SPEECH || Address by Chief SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya During The Commemoration Of The #UnitedNationsPeacekeepersInternationalDay, Hosted At The Department of Defence Mobilisation Centre in Bloemfontein on 29 May 2025. #SANDF
#UNPeaceKeepingMissions pic.twitter.com/8Xu8NnDPBw— SA National Defence Force 🇿🇦 (@SANDF_ZA) May 29, 2025
“We are working around the clock with the SADC secretariat to ensure that we get all our people and equipment back from the eastern DRC. We are at a critical stage of the withdrawal of the contingent’s equipment,” The Citizen quoted Maphwanya as saying.
He highlighted the logistical challenges involved, noting that while troops will fly home, equipment must be shipped by sea.
The SANDF’s withdrawal, set to conclude by end of May, does not mean South Africa is abandoning the DRC, he said.
Maphwanya stressed that South Africa remains ready to assist in future peacekeeping efforts and that peacebuilding remains a core objective of the SANDF.
Approximately 2,500 SANDF troops had been deployed in December 2023 under the SAMIDRC mission, replacing the UN’s Monusco in eastern DRC.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
