SADC withdraws regional force from eastern DRC amid M23 advance
M23 rebels sit on a truck during the escort of captured FDLR members (not pictured) to Rwanda for repatriation, at the Goma-Gisenyi Grande Barrier border crossing on March 1, 2025.
What you need to know:
- At least 20 soldiers from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi were killed when the M23 rebels seized the eastern DRC city of Goma in January.
- The SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) was first deployed on December 15, 2023 and its mandate was only renewed in November last month.
Southern African Development Community (SADC) have resolved to withdraw a regional peacekeeping force from the Democratic Republic of Congo following rapid advances by the M23 rebels that resulted in the death of over peacekeepers.
The SADC leaders made the resolution at an extraordinary summit on Thursday held virtually to discuss the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC.
At least 20 soldiers from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi were killed when the M23 rebels seized the eastern DRC city of Goma in January.
The SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) was first deployed on December 15, 2023 and its mandate was only renewed in November last month.
In a communique, the regional leaders called for a “diplomatic and political solution” to the conflict that has displaced millions of people.
“Summit terminated the mandate of SAMIDRC and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the DRC,” reads part of the communique.
“Summit emphasised its dedication to addressing the ongoing conflict in the DRC and reaffirmed its commitment to support interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security in the Eastern DRC, in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003.”
The leaders also said they were concerned about the continued deterioration of the security situation in the eastern DRC, “including the capturing of Goma and Bukavu, and the blockage of the main supply routes, making it difficult for humanitarian aid to flow.”
“Summit commended the troops for their selfless act, unity, diligence resiliency shown since the beginning of the mission,” the communique added.
“Summit called for the protection and free movement of civilians seeking safety and for all parties to uphold international humanitarian principles, stop attacks on civilians' infrastructure, and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access.
“Summit reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic solution with all parties including state, non-state parties, military and non-military in the eastern DRC for the restoration of peace, security and tranquillity in the country.”
Rwanda President Paul Kagame in January accused the SAMIDRC peacekeepers of being a belligerent force after his country came under scrutiny for allegedly backing the M23 rebels.
At the time President Kagame warned South Africa, which is one of the biggest contributors of troops to the SAMIDRC that if it preferred “confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”
Rwanda continues to deny accusations that it is behind the M23 rebels even after Western countries imposed sanctions on Kigali for its alleged role in the eastern DRC conflict.
Speculation that SADC might withdraw its forces from the DRC and push for a ceasefire and peace talks began after the killing of the peacekeepers.
The majority of SADC member states have been lacklustre in their support of SAMIDRC with only South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi contributing troops to the mission, which was mandated to help the DRC government “neutralise negative forces and armed groups in the eastern DRC”.
SADC member states contribute to the budget for the mission. The African Union Commission provides logistical and financial support to the mission.
In 2021, SADC deployed a regional force in Mozambique to help quell a jihadist insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region.
The SADC force struggled to make an impact due to low troop contributions by member states and lack of resources until Rwanda sent its troops, which helped to turn the tide against the rebels.
Meanwhile, the summit leaders threw its weight behind a joint move by SADC and the East African Community (EAC) to merge the Luanda and Nairobi Process as well as inclusion of more facilitators in the search for peace in the DRC.
“Summit reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic solution with all parties including state, non-state parties, military and non-military in the eastern DRC for the restoration of peace, security and tranquillity in the country,” the communique added.
“Summit further reiterated the decision from the joint Summit of the East African Community and SADC to merge the Luanda and Nairobi Process and inclusion of more facilitators to enhance the peace-building process.”
DRC President Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda, which is part of the EAC, of arming the M23 group and at times sending its forces to fight alongside the rebels in the DRC.
M23 was formed in 2012 as an offshoot of another rebel group and its stated goals are to protest the Tutsi population in eastern DRC, which had long complained of persecution and discrimination.
