The evacuation of injured South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops from the troubled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will commence this week. Image credit: News24
(The Post News)- The evacuation of injured South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to begin this week, following intense battles that resulted in the deaths of 14 SANDF personnel.
The SANDF troops have been deployed in the eastern DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission to stabilize the war-torn North Kivu province. However, the evacuation process has faced multiple delays, largely due to disagreements with M23 rebels over the withdrawal route.
The rebels have insisted that the only viable route is via the Rwandan border, but South Africa has strongly objected to this, citing diplomatic concerns and the potential for humiliation. The United Nations will be conducting the evacuation, but the logistics remain unclear.
It’s still unknown how many soldiers will be evacuated from the provincial capital of Goma when the process starts. The ongoing standoff between M23 rebels and the military continues to destabilize the region, and additional reports are expected from South African authorities as the evacuation process unfolds.
About the Author
