CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The South African military announced on Thursday that it has started withdrawing its peacekeeping forces from the rebel-controlled area of eastern Congo. The South African National Defense Force indicated that the troops have been relocating since earlier this week. They are traveling via Rwanda to Tanzania, from where they will catch flights back home.
Additionally, peacekeeping contingents from Malawi and Tanzania have also initiated their withdrawal process from Congo. These nations provided personnel to a regional peacekeeping mission originating from Southern Africa. However, the troops found themselves in a precarious position in eastern Congo following an offensive by M23 rebels, who took control of the crucial city of Goma in late January. This rebel group is believed to have backing from Rwanda.
In the hostilities with M23 this January, fourteen South African soldiers and three Malawian soldiers lost their lives. Subsequently, the southern African regional organization resolved in March to conclude the peacekeeping mission ahead of schedule and repatriate the troops.
Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, mentioned on social media platform X, that Rwanda is ensuring the safe passage and providing escort for the peacekeeping forces and their equipment.
In another development on Wednesday, several Congolese government soldiers, police officers, and their families, who were also stranded, began their journey from Goma back to Kinshasa, the capital of Congo. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated this transfer.
M23 currently has control over Goma and another significant city in eastern Congo, and they reportedly have the support of approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops, according to United Nations experts. Discussions are underway between Congo and Rwanda to achieve a peace agreement, with mediation by Qatar and support from the United States.