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City Press reports that the end is in sight for the SA soldiers deployed on a disastrous peace mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Approximately 2,000 South African soldiers are deployed in the DRC as part of SADC Mission in the DRC (Samidrc), the SADC's regional force in the DRC. Although their withdrawal still needs to be approved at a special summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), reports suggest that the wheels are in motion following a high-level virtual meeting last week of all countries contributing soldiers to Samidrc. The proposed withdrawal will occur in phases, but the exact details and timelines have yet to be worked out. It is uncertain whether SA will be able to take all its armaments and equipment with them when they return. The planned withdrawal, proposed by the defence chiefs of the three countries involved as the only option, is subject to a sustained ceasefire and the resumption of peace negotiations in this violence-stricken area. The Congolese rebel group M23 took control of Goma, the capital of South Kivu, in January, as well as Bukavu, the capital of North Kivu. Fourteen South African soldiers were killed in the battle for Goma. After the rebels took control of Goma, the South Africans were restricted to their main base at Sake and the Goma airport. They also had to lock up their firearms in the units' weapons containers. They rely on the rebels for their daily bread. While the group at Sake has some room for movement within the base area, the soldiers at the airport are tightly guarded by the M23 rebels.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Erika Gibson at City Press (subscriber access only)
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