Rwanda Accepts Passage for SADC Troops Returning from DRC

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, confirmed that the country has received a request for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops to transit through Rwanda on their return from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The request has been accepted.

“Yes, we allowed them [to pass through Rwanda],” Nduhungirehe stated.

However, the specific date for the SADC Force’s withdrawal from the DRC has yet to be confirmed, as a team has been established to study the withdrawal plan, which has been under discussion for several days in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Reports indicate that once the SADC troops depart from Goma, they will cross into Rwanda via the Rubavu border before continuing on to Tanzania, one of the contributing countries in the mission. Other nations involved include South Africa, which has the largest troop contingent, and Malawi.

Negotiations between the SADC Forces and the M23 Movement included an agreement that upon their return, the troops would transport their military equipment, while leaving behind any equipment previously held by the Congolese Army.

Forces of the Congolese Army (FARDC) that remain in Goma are also expected to withdraw, although the specifics of this process remain unclear.

The withdrawal of the SADC troops from Congo has gained urgency in recent days, particularly following the tensions that arose after the M23 Movement accused these forces of involvement in the fighting on April 11.

The Chief of Staff of the South African Army, Rudzani Maphnya, has emphasized the need to expedite the repatriation process for the troops.

Additionally, Rwanda recently facilitated the safe return of UN staff from Goma amid escalating clashes between M23 and DRC government forces. The country also provided assistance for wounded SADC troops to return home, along with the bodies of soldiers who were part of the mission.