SANDF Has Commenced Phased Withdrawal Plan from the DRC

(The Post News)– The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has announced its decision to begin the phased withdrawal of its troops and equipment from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The ministers of defence and the chiefs of Defence Forces (CDF) of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) Troops Contributing Countries (TCC), have supported the withdrawal plan of SAMIDRC via road through Rwanda and Tanzania.

According to the SANDF, in order to evaluate and verify the withdrawal route from Goma (DRC) through Rwanda to Chato in the United Republic of Tanzania (URT), towards the respective TCC home countries, a reconnaissance was carried out from April 14–19, 2025, with participation from the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the SADC secretariat.

SANDF highlighted that the plan will ensure the safe and efficient return of troops and assets, adding that the withdrawal will take place in phases, and they will provide regular updates.

However, prior to the withdrawal plan decision, on Wednesday the Democratic Alliance (DA) had unveiled in a statement its intention to scrutinise Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga over what they described as the ‘chaotic and poorly planned’ withdrawal of SANDF troops from DRC.

DA Defence and Military Veterans Spokesperson Chris Hatting stated that the party will raise these concerns during the next parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, which is scheduled for May 9. DA is criticising the withdrawal plan, complaining that the Parliament and the public have been sidelined from the mission’s conclusion.