Southern African Development Community mission's troop withdrawal from DR Congo to complete by end of May

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) – The Southern African Development Community mission's troop withdrawal from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo will be completed by the end of May, South Africa announced on Sunday.

South African National Defense Force Chief Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya said the official withdrawal began April 29. Since then, 13 trucks carrying 57 advance troops have departed the conflict zone of Goma for an assembly point in Tanzania.

"It is from the assembly point in Tanzania that all the troops will be gathered ahead of their return to the respective contributing states to the mission. For South Africa, the troops will be flown back by air, while the equipment will be transported by sea," Maphwanya said at a news conference in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital.

The withdrawal follows a decision by regional leaders and is supported by a cease-fire and cessation of hostilities between Congolese troops and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.

“Clearly, there is a commitment by the two parties to give peace a chance. We cannot find peace through shooting at each other,” Maphwanya said.

“We are confident that they will unconditionally abide by the cease-fire and cessation of hostilities."

Speaking separately, South African National Defense Force Chief of Joint Operations Lt. Gen. Siphiwe Sangweni said the withdrawal is being conducted in phases, moving from Goma—the “red zone”—to Tanzania—the “green zone.”

"The distance between Goma and Tanzania is fairly short, but travel took two days,” Sangweni told reporters, explaining that some of the vehicles broke down due to the poor road conditions.

Sangweni added that upon arrival back home, the troops would be accommodated in a demobilization camp in Bloemfontein, the capital of South Africa's Free State province, for recuperation.

South Africa's Minister for Defense and Military Veterans Angelina Motshekga said the withdrawal of the troops from Goma marked a new chapter in regional peace efforts.

Other contributing countries to the Southern African Development Community mission include Malawi and Tanzania.