By SADC
Gaborone, Botswana- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially commenced with the withdrawal from the Eastern DRC as of 29 April 2025.
The withdrawal is being conducted by road, transiting through the Republic of Rwanda to the respective Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs).
This action is in accordance with the directive of the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held on 13 March 2025, which announced the termination of the SAMIDRC mandate and endorsed the phased withdrawal of the Mission.
The decision is further supported by the outcomes of the engagement held in Goma, DRC, on 28 March 2025, between the Chiefs of Defence Force of the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and the leadership of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Movement of 23 March (AFC/M23).
SAMIDRC was deployed on 15 December 2023, with troops from the Republics of Malawi, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania.
SADC reaffirms its continued commitment to regional peace and security and remains engaged in supporting diplomatic and political efforts towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict in Eastern DRC.