The troops, deployed under the banner of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), were part of a regional mission to support the Congolese government in its efforts to push back against the M23 rebel group, whose resurgence has fuelled instability in North Kivu province.

The SA National Defence Union’s Chief Negotiator, Jeff Dubazana, confirmed the phased withdrawal was in progress, though details around timelines and the number of personnel involved remain scarce.

The SADC mission was initiated in early 2024, after the M23 insurgency escalated, capturing key territory and displacing thousands. With pressure mounting for a diplomatic resolution and shifting regional priorities, member states have now begun scaling back their military presence.

--ChannelAfrica--