The deployment forms part of South Africa’s phased withdrawal from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission in the region, which aims to stabilise the conflict-affected eastern DRC.

Initially, 250 SANDF soldiers were expected to land at the Air Force Base Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein on Friday (13/6.) This marked the beginning of the troops drawdown following a directive from the SADC heads of state summit held in March. The summit called for the conclusion of the regional mission, which has been engaged in combatting the resurgence of armed groups in eastern DRC.

Military equipment displayed in Tempe. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Logistical challenges have caused a setback in the arrival schedule. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga explained to the media at the Tempe military base in Bloemfontein that difficulties arose in Tanzania, where the troops were supposed to board their flight home. Originally, the contract was for a smaller aircraft with a capacity of 198 passengers. This was later upgraded to a larger plane able to carry all 250 troops at once. The soldiers traveled from Goma in the DRC to Tanzania yesterday. They were then redirected to another airport 400 km away to catch the bigger aircraft. 

More military equipment in Tempe. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Motshekga did not provide a confirmed arrival time or location for the troops but suggested they might land later the same night or the following morning, possibly in either Pretoria or Bloemfontein.

 Military equipment on display in Tempe. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

While expressing disappointment over the delays, Motshekga assured the withdrawal process was progressing and would conclude earlier than the initially planned date of 25 June. She noted that troops would be returning to South Africa every two days as part of the phased drawdown.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg