SADC Concludes Military Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The SADC has concluded its military mission in the DRC due to heavy soldier casualties, including the loss of 14 South Africans. A phased withdrawal of the SAMIDRC troops has been mandated, emphasizing the necessity for urgent peace dialogues, especially prior to planned discussions between the DRC and M23 rebels in Angola. The ongoing conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has decided to terminate its military mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following significant losses, including the deaths of at least 14 South African soldiers in January. During a virtual summit, SADC, composed of 16 nations, announced the phased withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) troops, emphasizing the need for peace and stability in the region that has endured decades of conflict.

The SAMIDRC was deployed in December 2023 to assist the DRC government in restoring security. The current military presence, primarily composed of South African forces, is unspecified, although it is believed to comprise approximately 1,000 troops. Calls for their withdrawal have intensified, particularly in light of the M23 rebel group’s advances, which have confined the remaining soldiers to their base.

SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa underscored the importance of urgent actions to resolve the conflict, which could extend its impacts beyond the DRC. He highlighted the necessity of inclusive dialogue and agreed that reviewing the SAMIDRC mandate was appropriate. In conjunction with this, Angola announced upcoming peace talks between the DRC and the M23 group slated for March 18.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco’s earlier engagement with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has led to what are seen as essential discussions following Tshisekedi’s previous reluctance to engage with the M23. While Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23 militarily, it denies such claims. The DRC reports that more than 7,000 individuals have died due to the ongoing M23 conflicts since the beginning of 2025.

The SADC’s decision to end its military mission in the DRC marks a significant shift in the regional approach towards the ongoing conflict. With the urgency for resolution recognized at the summit, plans for peace talks between the DRC and the M23 rebel group offer a potential pathway toward restoring stability. Continued monitoring of the situation, particularly the humanitarian impact of the M23’s actions, will be critical moving forward.

Original Source: www.jacarandafm.com