The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced the phased withdrawal of its military forces from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
These forces supported the Congolese government in its battle against rebel groups, particularly the M23 insurgency.
The decision, made during a recent summit of regional heads of state, officially concludes the mandate of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
SADC’s military deployment and mission
SADC forces were deployed in December 2023 to assist the DRC government in combating rebel groups, primarily the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency.
According to BBC, the M23 has seized large parts of the mineral-rich region, exacerbating instability in a country long plagued by conflict.
At least 19 soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania died when M23 rebels captured Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, in January 2024.
The attack marked a major setback for both SADC and the Congolese military and highlighted the rebels’ growing strength.
According to reports from DefenceWeb, SADC extended its mission into late 2024 despite operational challenges.
However, the rising death toll, logistical difficulties, and the increasing strength of the M23 rebels prompted the decision to withdraw.
A significant setback for SADC
South African political analyst Sandile Swanda told the BBC that the withdrawal is an “embarrassing” situation for his country. “The rebels are very strong. This is a full-on war, and South Africa is hardly ready for any such war,” he said.
He further noted that “no country in the SADC region is ready for this war – psychologically, militarily, and politically.”
Analysts argue that the withdrawal represents a significant setback for South Africa and a major blow to both SADC and the DRC.
The failure to stabilise the region has raised doubts about the effectiveness of regional military interventions and the long-term security of eastern DRC.
Reasons for the mission’s failure
The mission’s failure can be attributed to multiple factors.
Analysts suggest that the logistical difficulties faced by SADC, coupled with the scale of the M23 insurgency and the lack of military readiness, played a significant role in the withdrawal.
The insurgency’s rapid advances, especially following the loss of Goma, exposed the limited capacity of regional forces to stem the tide of violence and instability.
Future of the mission
SADC officials have not provided a specific timeline for the withdrawal but have confirmed that they will coordinate it with the Congolese government to avoid a security vacuum.
Future plans for the region are still unclear, with no indication of a follow-up mission.
What do you think will happen next for eastern DRC?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
