The first contingent of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is set to return home this week, marking the end of their mission as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping efforts.
The soldiers are expected to land at Bloemspruit Air Force Base in Bloemfontein at noon on Friday, where they will be officially welcomed by South African Defence Minister and Military Veteran Angie Motshekga and members of the Military Command Council.
The mission was part of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which aims to stabilise the country’s conflict-ridden eastern region, where armed groups including the M23 rebels are involved in ongoing violence.
The mission suffered some casualties. Fourteen SANDF members were killed in clashes with M23 rebels earlier this year. Their remains were repatriated for burial in February, sparking a period of national mourning and increasing calls for South Africa to reassess its role in the mission.
Following the casualties, South Africa announced in May that it would begin withdrawing its forces from the DRC. The first batch of troops were safely moved to a staging point in Tanzania in April, pending a full redeployment of remaining personnel.
The return of the troops marks South Africa’s departure from the SAMIDRC mission, and the move highlights the complex challenges involved in regional peacekeeping operations.