The Future of Peacekeeping in Africa: SADC’s Withdrawal from DRC and Its Implications
The SADC has ended its peacekeeping mission in the DRC due to high casualties among peacekeepers. Public backlash in Malawi resulted in a suspension of deployments, while South Africa increased its military presence. The trend of declining African-led peacekeeping missions raises concerns for regional stability, especially in light of ongoing violence in places like Sudan.
On March 13, 2025, leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced the conclusion of its peacekeeping mandate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following the deaths of over a dozen peacekeepers due to violent encounters with M23 rebels in January. The SADC Mission in the DRC, known as SAMIDRC, had been tasked with neutralizing the M23 group amidst ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. This decision coincided with the initiation of new peace negotiations between the DRC and the Rwanda-backed rebels, facilitated by mediators in Angola.
The SAMIDRC had replaced earlier peacekeeping efforts from the East African Community (EAC) and a United Nations force that had been in place for over two decades. A little over a year post-deployment, SADC leaders commenced a phased withdrawal after several violent incidents involving peacekeepers, notably the deaths of three Tanzanian troops from a mortar explosion in April 2024. The situation intensified in late January 2025, with ten South African and three Malawian soldiers killed in battle.
Chimwemwe Tsitsi, an international relations expert from Malawi, suggested that a reassessment of the peacekeepers’ rules of engagement might be necessary. Tsitsi noted, “Perhaps the change in the approach from non-interference to a new one … might also be another reason why the peacekeepers have been fighting some armed groups of late.”
The fatalities of SAMIDRC peacekeepers sparked significant public backlash across southern Africa. Malawi promptly announced a halt to its deployments, with President Lazarus Chakwera instructing preparations for withdrawal, which received positive reception from citizens like Antony Manda. He remarked, “Kudos to the president for making this decision. We’ve been fighting a war in DRC, which is not our war.”
In contrast, South Africa opted to bolster its military presence in Congo, sending additional troops and equipment despite public opposition. Dr. Alex Vines, head of the Africa program at Chatham House, remarked on the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions. He noted that while the deployment of Senegalese troops to Guinea-Bissau raised concerns, the ECOWAS intervention in Gambia since 2017 demonstrated relative success through collaboration.
African-led peacekeeping missions are currently on the decline; however, the SADC Mission in Mozambique continues to operate in the Cabo Delgado Province against extremist insurgencies. The rising conflict in eastern Congo developed during the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Following pressure from President Felix Tshisekedi’s administration, plans were established for MONUSCO’s complete withdrawal by the end of 2024.
Expert Chimwemwe Tsitsi noted a broader trend: “Since the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali in 2023, we’ve seen that trend ongoing, coupled with the establishment of African-led missions in 2007.” Funding for peacekeeping operations has sharply declined, with UN expenditures dropping from approximately $6.4 billion in 2014 to about $2.7 billion in 2024.
The police deployment of Kenyan forces to Haiti contrasted with a broader lack of attention toward conflict-affected regions like Sudan. Tsitsi remarked on the neglect faced by Sudan amid ongoing conflict, highlighting the limited intervention from the United Nations or the African Union. “Sudan can be seen as one of the neglected countries in African peacekeeping missions,” he stated.
In conclusion, the termination of the SADC’s peacekeeping operations in the DRC brings significant challenges to maintaining order in the region. Public outcry following the deaths of peacekeepers and a decline in funding for African-led missions have exacerbated the situation. As regional and international dynamics continue to transform, the future of peacekeeping in Africa remains uncertain, with attention needed to effectively address conflicts in countries like Sudan.
Original Source: www.dw.com
