SADC Troop Withdrawal from DRC to Complete by End of May

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has confirmed that its military mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will complete its withdrawal by the end of May 2025.

The withdrawal of troops from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi started in late April and is expected to be fully concluded by May 31. The SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) was deployed in December 2023 to help the Congolese government combat rebel groups, particularly the M23 rebels.

The mission faced significant challenges, including the loss of 17 soldiers, most of whom were South African, during fighting with the M23 in January 2025. The SADC decided to end the mission after a summit in March 2025, directing the phased withdrawal of its troops.

Military convoys have been seen leaving eastern DRC, passing through Rwanda on their way back to their respective home countries. The troops will be withdrawn by road, escorted by the Rwanda Defence Force, and are expected to reach Tanzania before returning to their home nations.

Despite the end of the mission, efforts to find peace between the DRC government and the M23 rebels continue, with regional mediation efforts still ongoing.