The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that the second group of South African troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will arrive home on Sunday afternoon.
The contingent, returning as part of the phased withdrawal from the SADC peacekeeping mission, is expected to land at Air Force Base Waterkloof between 3pm and 5pm. A third and final group is scheduled to return on Monday.
This follows the arrival of the first group of 249 soldiers on Friday evening, who were transported to Tempe military base in Bloemfontein early Saturday morning. Their return had been delayed due to logistical and technical challenges.
The SANDF stated that all returning personnel will go through the standard demobilisation process, including health assessments, psychological support, and family reunification services.
South Africa’s military involvement in the DRC began in December 2023, as part of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) support for the Congolese government in its conflict with rebel groups in the eastern region. However, the 16-member bloc decided in March to end the mission, with a gradual withdrawal plan endorsed during an extraordinary virtual summit of SADC heads of state.
The mission has come at a heavy cost. In February, the remains of 14 SANDF soldiers killed in clashes with M23 rebels during the fall of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, were repatriated to South Africa. Dozens more were wounded earlier this year during intense fighting in the region.
Approximately 200 troops had returned earlier this year as the drawdown process began.