Rwanda has agreed to provide passage for Southern African troops withdrawing from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, three diplomats confirmed on Friday.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a 16-nation regional bloc, is currently extracting its mission—known as SAMIDRC—after announcing the end of its mandate in March. The troops, who had been stationed in Goma, a rebel-controlled city in eastern Congo, will now be allowed to cross into Tanzania through Rwanda.
The decision comes amid ongoing discussions between SADC officials and Rwandan authorities. According to two of the diplomats familiar with the negotiations, the troops’ weapons will be sealed during transit for security purposes but will accompany them out of Rwanda.
Neither the Rwandan nor Congolese governments responded to requests for comment. SADC has also yet to issue an official statement on the arrangement.
General Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the South African National Defence Force, told SABC television on Thursday that a technical team is currently in Tanzania coordinating the logistical aspects of the withdrawal.
SAMIDRC forces were deployed in December 2023 to assist Kinshasa in its fight against armed rebel groups destabilizing the eastern regions of Congo. The latest flare-up in violence saw M23 rebels seize control of major eastern cities earlier this year.
