He made the remarks in a post shared on X on April 29, 2025. 'Rwanda is providing safe passage and an escort for convoys of SAMIDRC troops and equipment withdrawing from eastern DRC through Rwanda to Tanzania. The presence of SAMIDRC troops was always a complicating factor in the conflict, and today's start of withdrawal marks a positive step in support of the ongoing peace process,' he stated.
His comments followed reports that SAMIDRC troops began their withdrawal through Rwanda on April 29, 2025.
The SADC force, composed of soldiers from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, initiated the process with a formal verification of documents at La Corniche, the main border crossing between Rwanda and the DRC.
While the exact number of troops involved in this phase was not disclosedâ€"due to SADC's request for operational discretionâ€"approximately seven trucks transporting military equipment were observed, along with smaller vehicles carrying officials overseeing the process.
This initial stage focused primarily on repatriating military equipment, accompanied by a small contingent of troops. Larger groups are expected to follow in subsequent phases.
The troops are traveling along the Rubavuâ€"Kigaliâ€"Rusumo route toward the Chato District in northwestern Tanzania.
SADC forces had been deployed in December 2023 to support the Congolese military in its fight against the AFC/M23 coalition. However, by January 2025, they suffered setbacks, including losses in key areas such as Sake and Goma.
An extraordinary summit of SADC and East African Community (EAC) leaders held in Tanzania on February 8, 2025, concluded that political dialogue presented the most viable path to resolving the conflict in the DRC and the wider region.
Following this, SADC leaders decided on March 13 to end the mission and implement a phased withdrawal of troops.
Initial plans to repatriate forces through Goma International Airport were abandoned after AFC/M23 rejected the proposal, citing damage to the airport caused by Congolese government forces during the fighting in Goma.
After negotiations failed, SADC secured Rwanda's agreement to facilitate a land-based withdrawal, ensuring a safe and orderly exit route through Rwandan territory.
IGIHE
