Troops to return to SA following terminated DRC mission

By Simon Nare

South African political parties have welcomed the announcement that troops serving in the Southern African Development Community peacekeeping mission in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo will return home.

An extraordinary summit of heads of state of SADC has terminated its mission in DRC (SAMIDRC) and instructed the beginning of the withdrawal of its troops which includes South African, Malawian and Tanzanian soldiers.

The meeting, which was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, took the decision following escalation of the conflict and the rebel group M23 capturing Goma and Bukavu, which led to the deterioration of security in the eastern DRC.

The leaders noted in a communiqué following the meeting that the capturing of two cities led to the blockage of the main supply routes, making it difficult for humanitarian aid to flow.

“Summit reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding