Over 40 trucks carrying weapons and military equipment belonging to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, previously deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), passed through Rwanda en route to Tanzania.
On Thursday, 41 trucks departed from Goma, heading towards the Rubavu district, before continuing their journey to Chato, Tanzania.
This convoy marks the third phase of the SADC forces’ withdrawal via Rwanda. The first and second phases, comprising 49 trucks and approximately 37 soldiers, were completed last week.
As with the second phase, no soldiers accompanied the third convoy.
SADC had deployed troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania to the DRC in late 2023 to assist the Congolese government in combating the M23 rebel group.
Following significant losses and the capture of Goma by M23 rebels in January 2025, SADC decided to withdraw its forces, utilizing Rwanda as a transit route.
