South Africa has officially started withdrawing its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a significant shift in regional military engagement after months of escalating violence in the east of the country.
The first group of 249 South African soldiers touched down in Pretoria late Friday night to a warm welcome led by Defence Minister Angie Motshekga. With emotion in her voice and visible pride on her face, Motshekga hailed the returning troops for their “unwavering patriotism” and commitment to peace on the continent.
“They served our country and our continent with courage and distinction under difficult conditions,” she told journalists during a brief ceremony at Waterkloof Air Force Base. “We are working around the clock with our partners in the region to ensure that our equipment is safely returned. We shall not leave even a pin behind.”
The withdrawal comes in the wake of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) decision in March to wind down its military mission in eastern DRC, known as SAMIDRC. The mission was launched in December 2023 to support Congolese forces in resisting the M23 rebel group and other armed militias destabilizing the North and South Kivu provinces.
But the cost of that support has been heavy. In January alone, at least 14 South African soldiers lost their lives, some while serving under the United Nations peacekeeping banner. The deaths of troops from Malawi and Tanzania have also been recorded, sparking grief and growing calls from the South African public for disengagement.
General Rudzani Maphwanya, South Africa’s Defence Chief, has emphasized that this is not a retreat but a calculated and strategic shift. “This is a technical move that allows peace and mediation to continue,” he explained in a press statement last month. “We’re not abandoning the people of the DRC—we’re rethinking how best to support them.”
The conflict in eastern Congo is far from over. The M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, still holds large territories in the mineral-rich region. Decades of unrest, complex ethnic tensions, and foreign interests have made peace an elusive goal.
Despite the recent withdrawal, Pretoria has not set a definitive date for when the remaining South African troops will return. According to defence officials, the process will unfold in phases, coordinated with both Congolese authorities and other SADC member states.
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The broader mission, once hailed as a show of African solidarity, has now evolved into a conversation about long-term solutions beyond the battlefield. Diplomats and peace advocates are urging a transition from military action to comprehensive peacebuilding efforts.
Countries like the United States, Qatar, and institutions such as the African Union and various NGOs are currently involved in renewed mediation efforts. Yet, the situation on the ground remains dire—millions remain displaced, and humanitarian needs continue to grow.
Still, amid the fatigue and fallout, a quieter shift is taking place. As one defence official put it, “African nations are starting to take the future of the continent into their own hands—not just through force, but through strategy, dialogue, and unity.”
For the families of the 249 who returned home this weekend, there was relief. For those still waiting on loved ones, hope remains that their homecoming will follow soon. And for South Africa, this withdrawal marks the start of a new chapter—one that could reshape how the continent responds to its deepest crises.
