Budget 3.0: Funds for SANDF peacekeeping mission in DRC reduced to R3 billion
JOHANNESBURG - Funding for the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been reduced to R3 billion.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the decision to cut the funding during his budget speech on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: DRC says it is 'indebted' to SA for sacrifices made by SANDF troops during peacekeeping mission
SANDF soldiers have been deployed in Goma for over 15 months for peacekeeping efforts amid ongoing conflict between the DRC's armed forces and M23 rebels.
However, the government recently confirmed a phased withdrawal of SANDF troops from the mission.
Godongwana says the decision to reduce funding is due to this planned withdrawal.
"In this regard, the R5 billion we had proposed to allocate to the Department of Defence for its participation in the SADC mission in the DRC is reduced. But the allocation for 2025/26 has been increased from R1.8 billion to R3 billion. This will cover the immediate costs of an orderly and safe withdrawal of our troops and mission equipment."
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