SADC Troop Withdrawal from DRC: A Long-Awaited Decision.

The SADC has decided to withdraw its military mission from the DRC, as the troops were deemed ineffective in combating the AFC/M23 rebels. Experts, including Darren Olivier, welcomed this decision, highlighting the delay in terminating the mandate. The summit emphasized the need for political solutions and a strategic withdrawal process to ensure equipment safety and enhance peace-building efforts.

A South African defence expert has praised the South African Development Community’s (SADC) decision to end its military mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stating that the troops served no viable purpose. The mandate for the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) was officially terminated during a virtual Extraordinary Summit conducted on March 13, following their deployment in December 2023 to support the Congolese army against the AFC/M23 rebels.

Despite the presence of the SAMIDRC troops from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, the coalition, which includes Burundi troops and the FDLR militia, could not prevent the advances of the AFC/M23 rebels, who have taken control of significant areas such as Goma and Bukavu. Currently, SAMIDRC soldiers are confined to their bases, unable to operate freely, as they negotiate their surrender under the influence of the M23 rebels tied to these locations.

Darren Olivier, Director of the African Defence Review, commented on the mission’s termination, indicating that it was long overdue. He noted, “As I, and many others, have said several times, it has been clear ever since M23 captured Goma that SAMIDRC’s mandate was no longer viable and that the mission should be ended and the troops withdrawn. A mandate termination was all but inevitable.” Olivier expressed his view of the prudence exercised by South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, who ignored calls for an immediate withdrawal while facilitating a formal termination of the mandate.

He emphasized the importance of an orderly withdrawal to ensure that military equipment remains intact. He commented, “That would likely also require repairing the Goma Airport runway, as most equipment can only be airlifted out.” The summit, chaired by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, acknowledged the need for political solutions involving all relevant parties in the DRC to restore peace and security.

The decision to withdraw was made after the SADC summit reviewed updates regarding the security situation in eastern DRC. A previous Troika Summit had recommended this withdrawal, deeming the troops’ position untenable. The summit also confirmed an approach to merge ongoing peace initiatives as part of a broader strategy to enhance diplomatic efforts in the region.

In summary, the SADC’s decision to withdraw troops from the DRC marks a significant turning point in addressing the ongoing conflict in the region. Experts agree that the military mission’s mandate had become unfeasible, and the prolonged presence of troops was ineffective. The emphasis on facilitating an orderly withdrawal and establishing a comprehensive political solution highlights the necessity for careful planning in moving forward toward peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw