The SADC Secretariat announced the commencement of the second phase of the withdrawal process on Thursday, 12 June 2025.

The exercise entails the repatriation of mission personnel along with their personal belongings and the remaining operational equipment.

The withdrawing troops will be transported by road through Rwanda to Tanzania, where the Tanzanian contingent will continue to Dar es Salaam. South African and Malawian contingents will be airlifted to their respective countries.

The mission, launched in December 2023 to support Congolese forces in neutralising the M23 rebel group, was terminated in March.

The first phase of the withdrawal, which began on 29 April, focused on the removal of equipment and logistical supplies.

“SADC remains fully committed to supporting peace, security and political stability in the DRC and the broader region,” the bloc said.

“The orderly withdrawal reflects our adherence to collective security principles and support for peaceful conflict resolution."

Deployed with an offensive mandate, SAMIDRC was tasked with pushing back the M23 rebels, who have repeatedly stated they are fighting against the marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the DRC. However, the mission faced significant operational challenges.

In January, M23 rebels seized the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu, dealing a serious blow to the regional intervention force. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of 18 SADC troops, including 14 from South Africa, two from Malawi, and two from Tanzania, and left dozens injured.

Since the loss of Goma, SAMIDRC forces had largely remained confined to their bases, amid growing political pressure from within SADC member states to disengage. In South Africa, lawmakers increasingly questioned the rationale behind continued military involvement.

The withdrawing troops will be transported by road through Rwanda to Tanzania, where the Tanzanian contingent will continue to Dar es Salaam. South African and Malawian contingents will be airlifted to their respective countries.