The soldiers sustained injuries in recent clashes with the M23 rebel group and were evacuated on medical grounds to receive specialized care in their home countries.

The evacuees include 129 soldiers from the Republic of South Africa Battalion, 40 from the Malawi Battalion, and 25 from the Tanzania Battalion.

They arrived at the Rwandan border at around 1:00 p.m., where they were first searched by security officials before proceeding to have their passports stamped at the immigration office. They remained at the border in Rubavu until the evening, finally departing from the city at around 6:30 p.m. to head toward Kigali.

Some of the soldiers were confined to wheelchairs, having lost their legs in the intense battles they fought. Some were dressed in military uniforms, while others wore civilian clothes.

They were escorted from the La Corniche One-Stop Border Post to Kigali International Airport by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Military Police.

The repatriation follows increasing pressure for the SADC mission to withdraw after 18 soldiers, including 14 from South Africa, were killed in clashes with M23 rebels.

The M23 fighters overpowered the Congolese army and the mission’s forces, capturing Goma and surrounding the remaining troops.

The deadly confrontation also resulted in the deaths of two Malawian and two Tanzanian soldiers during skirmishes in Sake and Goma, North Kivu Province.

Reports of the soldiers’ planned departure from Goma first emerged on Friday. However, the process was delayed at the last minute for undisclosed reasons.

For two weeks, discussions had been ongoing regarding their return, with the United Nations mediating talks with M23 rebels, who have long demanded the withdrawal of SADC forces from the DRC.

Among the injured soldiers, one has reportedly suffered a severe disability, losing both legs. Another, a young soldier, lost his eyesight during the war.

Several others sustained grenade injuries, which led to further complications due to the harsh living conditions they endured at the Sake military base. Reports indicate that among the soldiers, two women are expectant.

The repatriation comes even as South Africa’s Parliament continues to press President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw troops, criticizing the deployment as sacrificing soldiers in a foreign conflict for private interests.

The mounting losses have intensified debates over the country’s continued military involvement in the DRC.

The soldiers were transported in these vehicles from the La Corniche One-Stop Border Post to Kigali International Airport on Monday. They were at the border in the morning hours ahead of the exercise.

Emergency response teams from the Red Cross were also at the border early Monday morning.

The injured soldiers were transported to Kigali International Airport on Monday evening.