A disturbing story unfolds in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers, deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), find themselves stranded and facing dire conditions. This is a tale of broken promises, dwindling supplies, and the haunting question of whether those who serve their country are being left behind.
The initial deployment of SANDF troops to the DRC occurred in December 2023, under the banner of SAMIDRC, with the aim of addressing the ongoing conflict in the eastern region of the country. The mission, which also included troops from Tanzania and Malawi, was intended to "neutralize" the M23, an ethnic-Tutsi militia group that had been terrorizing the area for over a decade.
However, the situation on the ground quickly deteriorated. In January 2025, the M23 launched a major offensive, capturing Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and other key territories.
The SADC summit on 13 March 2025, decided to terminate SAMIDRC’s mandate, and the main force began withdrawing from the DRC on 29 April, escorted by Rwandan soldiers through Rwanda to Tanzania.
While the South African government declared the mission a success, citing the initiation of peace talks between the DRC and M23, military experts and analysts painted a different picture. They argued that SAMIDRC was retreating due to its deadly defeats by the M23 and had failed to fulfill its mandate.
Adding insult to injury, the promised buses meant to transport the soldiers out of Goma have yet to arrive as of May 2025. The reason for this delay, it is said, is due to a lack of funds. This has left the already demoralized troops stranded, with dwindling supplies and growing frustration.
The original plan was to transport the soldiers by bus to Chato in Tanzania, from where they would be flown back to the military’s mobilization center at De Brug in Bloemfontein. However, the latest plan involves flying the soldiers home from Mwanza International Airport, which is about 720 kilometers from Goma. This means a longer bus journey of almost 250 kilometers on difficult roads.
A senior officer involved in coordinating the repatriation in Tanzania said that the SADC has not yet hired the buses, and they are not aware of any flights.
The situation has become so desperate that some soldiers are relying on the generosity of other contingents that are part of the UN’s Monusco mission for food. These countries are sharing their own emergency supplies with the SANDF troops, who are literally dependent on mercy.
One frustrated officer expressed his concern about how to explain the situation to his subordinate troops when he himself does not know what is happening. He said that it is not pleasant for anyone to know that the equipment is apparently more important than the people, especially given the difficult circumstances they have been living under since January.
He also revealed that some of the soldiers are threatening to protest at SamiDRC’s headquarters, which would be an even greater disgrace for South Africa.
Military expert Helmoed-Römer Heitman said that the logical order of withdrawal is to transport out the non-essential soldiers first, with an armed component that will also monitor the security of the withdrawal remaining behind. After them, the combat equipment and the rest of the soldiers are taken out, with special forces and paratroopers being withdrawn last.
Heitman added that if it is true that there are problems with the SADC providing the necessary transport, the military simply cannot rely on the SADC for support in any future deployments. He also pointed out that there were already similar problems with promised support from the SADC during the previous regional deployment in Mozambique, which also did not materialize.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticized the SANDF deployment to the DRC, calling it a “national tragedy.” The DA said that the death of 14 South African soldiers and a further 174 injured in battle is not a success story. They also claimed that SA troops were paid less than a quarter of the stipend they were allegedly allocated, while Tanzanian and Malawian troops on the same mission earned nearly double.
The stranded SANDF soldiers in Goma have been living under difficult conditions since January 2025, following an offensive led by the M23 armed group. They are reportedly living on only one meal a day and lack internet and communication services.
The troops are concerned because not a lot of people are communicating with them on what the next step is. They are also facing challenges with toilet facilities since the company servicing them cannot attend to the facility.
The situation in Goma has also strained relations between South Africa and Rwanda. Following the killing of the 13 troops in January 2025, tensions rose between Pretoria and Kigali following earlier reports that Rwandan-backed M23 forces were responsible.
Meanwhile, the SANDF is considering the possibility of setting up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) into the deaths of South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Deputy Minister of Defence, Bantu Holomisa, said that Members of Parliament (MPs) should also guide how the inquiry’s terms of reference are drafted.
The situation in Goma raises serious questions about the planning and execution of the SANDF deployment to the DRC. It also highlights the challenges of peacekeeping missions in complex and unstable environments.
Several factors contribute to the challenges faced by peacekeeping missions in the DRC and other conflict zones. One key issue is the complex political landscape, often involving multiple armed groups with shifting alliances and external support. This makes it difficult to achieve lasting peace and stability. Another factor is the lack of adequate infrastructure and resources, which hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid and the implementation of development programs.
Corruption and weak governance also play a role, undermining efforts to build trust and establish the rule of law. To mitigate these challenges, international organizations and individual countries are increasingly focusing on comprehensive approaches that address the root causes of conflict, promote inclusive governance, and strengthen local capacity for peace-building.
The events in Goma also raise questions about the role of regional organizations like SADC in peacekeeping operations. While SADC has a mandate to promote peace and security in Southern Africa, its effectiveness has been hampered by a lack of resources, coordination, and political will. The delayed transport for the SANDF soldiers in Goma is just one example of the challenges facing SADC in its efforts to support peacekeeping missions.
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