The troops were deployed as part of a joint United Nations and Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission that began two years ago.

Their return follows the recent decision to withdraw the mission amid mounting regional and domestic pressure, particularly after the deaths of 19 SADC soldiers in clashes between the DRC army and M23 rebels. The volatile security situation in eastern DRC has raised serious concerns over the safety and effectiveness of regional peacekeeping operations.

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, alongside the National Defence command, is set to receive the returning soldiers at a formal welcoming ceremony in Bloemfontein, in the Free State province.

The deployment was originally aimed at stabilising the conflict-ridden eastern region of the DRC and supporting efforts to disarm rebel groups and protect civilians. However, the recent spike in violence and the rising toll on peacekeepers prompted a re-evaluation of the mission’s viability.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--