A total of 263 trucks loaded with weapons and military equipment belonging to SADC troops sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo have crossed through Rwandan territory.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) deployed these supplies—intended to support the Congolese government in its fight against the M23 militia—to eastern DRC.
On Monday, June 2, a convoy of 15 trucks carrying armored personnel carriers and long-range MB-21 Grad rocket launchers, along with 18 SADC troops stationed in its two camps in Goma and Mubambiro, passed through.
The SADC began routing these shipments through Rwanda toward Chato in Tanzania at the end of April, after the Rwandan government approved transit on its soil.
The transfer is ongoing.
This decision by SADC follows agreements by the bloc’s heads of state to withdraw troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania.
The move comes after SADC forces, alongside FARDC, FDLR, Wazalendo, and UN “blue helmets,” suffered losses in late January when M23 captured the city of Goma.
