South Africa had deployed over 2,900 troops as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIRDC). They were joined by forces from Malawi and Tanzania, alongside Burundian troops, fighting alongside the FARDC, Wazalendo militias, and European mercenaries.

However, M23 fighters overwhelmed them, killing 14 South African soldiers, capturing Goma, and surrounding the remaining troops. Two soldiers from Malawi and two others from Tanzania also died during the clashes in Sake and Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province.

Following these losses, South Africa’s Parliament has been pressuring President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw the troops, arguing that they are being sacrificed in a foreign conflict for the benefit of private interests.

AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka recently told the media that it was time for South African troops stationed at the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) bases to leave, as they had been offered safe passage through Rwanda.

He stated that Rwanda is the only viable route, as the airport in Goma remains closed after the group shut it down, accusing the Congolese government of using it to load and deploy bombs against civilian populations. He also added that the airport is not safe to use due to unexploded ordnance and a damaged runway.

“We informed them that they can return home via Rwanda. We have no issue with that. Even though they are stationed at MONUSCO bases, they must leave.”

Reports indicate that 189 South African soldiers, including five in critical condition and two expectant women, are set to be evacuated through the Rwandan border on Tuesday, 25 February 2025. These troops were deployed to the DRC in late 2023.

The bodies of the South African soldiers who died in Congo in late January were repatriated through the Rwandan border, transported to Uganda, and then flown home for burial. Reports indicate that South Africa refused an offer to airlift the bodies through Rwanda, accusing Rwanda of backing M23 fighters. Rwanda has repeatedly denied these claims, insisting that the rebels are Congolese citizens fighting for their rights after decades of marginalisation and persecution by Congolese authorities.

During a recent session, South African lawmakers accused President Ramaphosa of deploying troops to the DRC for personal interests, alleging that his family and close associates in the mining sector were seeking access to the region’s mineral wealth.

They also questioned why, out of the 15 SADC member states, only three countries deployed troops while the rest chose not to participate.

South African troops deployed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support the Congolese army (FARDC) in the fight against the M23 rebel group are set to withdraw and return home via Rwanda.