Cape Town — Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Bantu Holomisa has welcomed the decision to withdraw South African troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced on Thursday that it would be withdrawing all troops from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC)
“The “Summit terminated the mandate of SAMIDRC and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the DRC,” it said in a statement at the end of the meeting.
The southern African regional bloc decided on Thursday to end its military deployment to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where it lost more than a dozen soldiers in conflict in January. #AfricanInsiderhttps://t.co/0ACg0IwtfJ
— African Insider (@AfricanInsider2) March 13, 2025
Following the decision, Deputy Minister Holomisa welcomed the decision and said the removal was not done out of fear of defeat or a lack of resources.
“The process has long been started by the leaders at the Summit and also here at home, we must not forget that many MPs have been asking when the troops will be coming back so I think in that sense there has been a review of the situation,” he said.
He said if the troops were going to be withdrawn, who would be the ones to replace them. He added that the the UN’s Secuity Council that the Rwandan troops and M23 rebels must head out of Goma would likely bring about stability.
When asked if South African troops should be withdrawn, he said President Ramaphosa endorsed that decision.
WATCH BELOW:
SADC has decided to end its military deployment in the eastern DRC. Defence Deputy Minister, General Bantu Holomisa says they welcome the decision by SADC to terminate its mission in the DRC. #Newzroom405
Watch: https://t.co/1ut6TD8jHv pic.twitter.com/cW9Cnikbnz
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 14, 2025
According to The Citizen, Holomisa said South Africa could have kept the mission going as it was not scared of anybody and said the soldiers did not opt for that. He said that was the reason why President Ramaphosa called Rwandan President Paul Kagame regarding a ceasefire.
He added that removing the troops would not be an easy process as SA forces need to negotiate with M23 rebels for a safe passage out of the affected areas.
Holomisa said he could not give a definite time frame for all South African troops to return home.
“We have to protect the equipment. We do not intend to fight and we respect the ceasefire. The politicians must sort out their mess and find peace through a round table discussion,” he said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@PetersWonderboy
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
