Cape Town – Defence Minister, Angie Motshekga, has reortedly indicated that the country is reconsidering its involvement in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where South African troops have been deployed to assist in combating Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
“There is an evaluation process underway,” Reuters quoted the minister as sayin in response to a question about whether South Africa was considering withdrawing its troops from the conflict-ridden region.
The deployment, which forms part of a broader regional security effort, has been a contentious issue domestically, with growing concerns over the risks faced by South African soldiers and the financial burden of the mission.
While South Africa has historically played a leading role in regional peacekeeping efforts, questions have been raised about the effectiveness and sustainability of its continued military presence in the DRC.
Defence minister Angie Motshekga says there is a need to “relook at” a Southern African mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where troops from several countries including SA are deployed to help the country fight Rwanda-backed rebels.https://t.co/IeHDuERopE
— Daily Dispatch (@Dispatch_DD) March 10, 2025
According to AFP, South Africa had deployed more than 1,000 soldiers in the DRC, according to reports and analysts, although officials have not given precise numbers.
It dominates the SADC force, which includes smaller numbers of soldiers from Malawi and Tanzania.
Motshekga confirmed that any decision regarding troop withdrawal would not be made unilaterally but would be determined through consultations with regional partners in the SADC and the East African Community (EAC).
“South Africa works under the leadership of these bodies, and its decision to withdraw or not will be informed by processes and decisions of these bodies,” she said, emphasising the country’s commitment to multilateralism in regional security matters.
The intervention has faced mounting domestic criticism, particularly following the fall of Goma in January, which saw South African soldiers left exposed in a precarious situation with no clear exit strategy.
Analysts have warned that without a well-defined mission plan and clear political backing, the deployment risks becoming an open-ended and costly commitment.
The upcoming meeting of SADC and EAC heads of state is expected to address the security situation in the DRC, and South Africa’s future role in the mission will likely be a key topic of discussion.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
