SANDF says DRC troop withdrawal political move for peace
The South African National Defence Force says the decision to withdraw South African troops from the DRC isn't a sign of weakness, but a political effort to achieve peace.
South Africa has entered the second phase of its withdrawal process, following the deaths of 14 soldiers in the region earlier this year.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said 13 trucks carrying 57 troops have arrived at an assembly point in Tanzania. The estimated cost of the mission is around R3 billion.
The minister says they're still waiting on SADC to reveal what South Africa's contribution will be.
Motshekga said the 16-member countries financed the mission.
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"That money was assumed that we're going to be there for longer because after we extended our stay in the DRC, we had requested an extension for six months to stay there and then use the other six months to train the defence force of the DRC."
Motshekga and SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya spoke during a joint media briefing on Monday.
" Our withdrawal must be seen in the context that the political effort to have peace and stability in the DRC is now on the horizon, and we can see that there are efforts that are leading to us, as planned by the minister. Our withdrawal is not abandoning the people of DRC, our withdrawal. It's a technical move that allows peace and mediation to continue," said Maphwanya.
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