The SADC force, comprising soldiers from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, underwent the initial process with a formal verification of documents at La Corniche, the main border crossing between Rwanda and the DRC.
While the exact number of troops involved remains undisclosed at SADC’s request for discretion, approximately seven trucks carrying military equipment, accompanied by smaller vehicles with overseeing officials, were observed.
This initial phase focused on repatriating equipment and accompanying small contingent of soldiers, with larger groups expected to follow.
The troops are traveling along the Rubavu–Kigali–Rusumo route toward Chato District in northwestern Tanzania.
Deployed in December 2023 to support the Congolese military against the AFC/M23 coalition, SADC forces faced setbacks by January 2025, losing strategic areas like Sake and Goma.
An extraordinary summit of SADC and East African Community leaders in Tanzania on February 8, 2025, concluded that political dialogue offered the best path to resolve the DRC conflict, prompting SADC leaders on March 13 to end the military mission and order a phased withdrawal.
Plans to use Goma International Airport for repatriation were thwarted when AFC/M23 rejected the request, citing damage by Congolese forces during the battle for Goma.
After failed negotiations, SADC secured Rwanda’s assistance for land-based withdrawal.
Last week, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, confirmed to IGIHE that Rwanda granted passage following an official request.
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