A one-page SAMIDRC communique advised of a delay in the re-opening of Goma airport, stating it 'could cause further delays' in the SAMIDRC withdrawal.
It also noted withdrawal will be by road from Goma through Rwanda to the designated general assembly area of Chato in Tanzania, adding the SADC Secretariat will 'engage' Rwanda to facilitate safe passage for SAMIDRC troops.
The three troop contributing countries were tasked with 'beefing up' the withdrawal planning element with operations, intelligence and logistics experts. They will be tasked to 'conduct reconnaissance and develop instructions for withdrawal.'
This is a point from discussion of a revised withdrawal plan at a meeting last Friday April 11,2025, attended by chiefs of the three defense forces that contributed troops and equipment to the mission.
They are generals Rudzani Maphwanya (SA National Defence Force), Jacob Mkunda (Tanzania People's Defence Force- TPDF) and Paul Phiri (Malawi Defence Force). Also present at the Dar es Salaam headquarters of the TPDF for the meeting was Professor Kula Theletsane, Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs.
Initial deployment for the mission, under the acronym SAMIDRC, was in December 2023 to the eastern DRC under the command of South African Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu.
Its termination, to be followed by a phased withdrawal, was made public by the regional bloc on 13 March. The announcement came two months after all three SAMIDRC troop contributing countries reported deaths in action against M23 with South Africa (14) bearing the brunt.
On February 6, two weeks after the fatalities during combat around Sake and Goma in North Kivu province, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera ordered his soldiers to start preparing for withdrawal from Goma and surrounds in the eastern DRC.
The SADC planning elements will lead and direct the SAMIDRC Force Commander on formulating a withdrawal plan adhering to guidelines permitted by the troop contributing countries.
The M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) claims SAMIDRC forces are carrying out joint operations with DRC government forces (FARDC), Wazalendo militia and other elements around Goma.
These, according to a 12 April statement by the M23, 'violate the existing SADC agreements and delay therefore the rehabilitation of Goma airport, compelling the AFC/M23 to demand the immediate withdrawal of SAMIDRC forces.
'Despite our restraint in response to these persistent criminal acts, the AFC/M23 finds itself compelled to reconsider its position to prioritize the security of the Congolese population and that of the SAMIDRC elements present in the liberated areas,' the statement said.
Fighting has been taking place north of Goma since last week. It is believed that DRC government forces and Wazalendo militia forces that retreated into the Virunga national park are clashing with M23 rebels in the area.
A withdrawal by land complicates things for the SAMIDRC troops, as a long logistic trail through Rwanda was not something they were anticipating. It is slow, rough roads and reliant on Rwanda to agree to the plan.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/samidrc-troops-to-withdraw-by-road-through-rwanda
