SANDF troops prepare for withdrawal from the DRC following peace agreement
SADC mission in the DRC: South Africa's role and ongoing SADC troop withdrawal
South African military contingents are preparing to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a landmark peace agreement was signed between the DRC and Rwanda.
As the lead nation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission in the DRC, South Africa has played a crucial role in efforts to restore peace amid persistent conflict.
Since 2022, South Africa has spearheaded the SADC peacekeeping mission, the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC)
The mission's primary objective has been to support the Congolese government in stabilising eastern provinces battered by rebel groups and inter-ethnic tensions.
The operation has involved thousands of troops from member states working alongside Congolese forces to monitor ceasefires, facilitate dialogue, and deliver humanitarian aid.
Despite these efforts, the mission has faced numerous challenges, most notably encounters with the M23 rebel group, which has been active in eastern DRC since 2012.
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Driving Education Culture, Fostering Youth Friendship Between China and South Africa
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Mr. PAN Qingjiang is the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Johannesburg.
IOL News
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Ambassador Wu Peng delivers opening remarks at the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, emphasizing China's long-standing commitment to intercultural dialogue and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Image: Supplied On June 10, 2025, the world observed a historic milestone: the inaugural United Nations International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. At a time marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and cultural misunderstanding, this day arrived not as a symbolic formality, but as a timely call for solidarity, mutual respect, and shared development. In a video address to the global commemorative event, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi - representing a country long committed to intercultural exchange - reaffirmed the urgency of dialogue. Quoting President Xi Jinping's vision, he emphasized that: 'civilizations are the bond of peace, the driver of development, and the bridge of friendship.' 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Value of Civilizations in a Changing World As Minister Wang noted, the world is undergoing profound transformation. The 'changes unseen in a century' are reshaping global dynamics and societal structures. 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At a time when narrow nationalism and ideological polarization threaten global cohesion, initiatives like the Global Civilization Initiative offer much-needed hope. They challenge us to choose connection over confrontation and cooperation over conflict. As a journalist based in Africa, I have witnessed how these ideas resonate deeply on the continent. From the Ubuntu philosophy of human interconnectedness to vibrant innovation ecosystems, Africa - like China - understands that civilizations thrive not in isolation but through dialogue. On this first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, let us recommit to the principles of equality, respect, and cooperation. Let us build a world where diversity is not feared but celebrated, and where every voice adds meaning to our shared story. ⦁ Joyce-Yinan Zhao currently serves as the Acting Bureau Chief and Chief Correspondent of the CMG Johannesburg Bureau. With extensive experience working and reporting across the African continent, she has developed deep insights into the economic, cultural, and social cooperation between China and Africa. Drawing on her profound understanding of local cultures and her professional journalistic expertise, Joyce-Yinan Zhao is committed to presenting Africa's authentic voices and remarkable stories to a global audience, while contributing to a broader media platform for China-Africa engagement. * Yinan Zhao is Acting Bureau Chief and Chief Correspondent of China Media Group, Johannesburg Bureau
Eyewitness News
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SANDF again hits back at criticism about DRC deployment of troops
CAPE TOWN - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has again hit back at criticism about the deployment of troops during the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as soldiers return home for the first time since 2023. The second contingent of soldiers touched down on home soil on Sunday, two days after the first group landed back in South Africa. READ: SANDF top brass welcome home second group of soldiers from DRC deployment They were part of a peacekeeping mission in the conflict between the M23 rebels and the DRC military, in a war that saw thousands killed and displaced from their homes. Earlier in 2025,14 South African soldiers also died when they were caught in the crossfire, sparking a national outcry about the deployment. The SANDF and troops from Malawi and Tanzania have since been withdrawn following a ceasefire agreement. Chief of the SANDF Rudzani Maphwanya was at the Waterkloof Air Force Base on Sunday, where more than 250 troops were given a heroes' welcome. 'You have contributed, we have managed, through your efforts to have made the adversaries to come together and speak. You don't talk to your friends when you want peace, you speak to your adversaries and when they engaged, the leadership of SADAG saw that there is a semblance of peace and therefore let us give peace a chance.'
