Rwanda Facilitates Withdrawal of Southern African Troops from Congo to Tanzania
On March 26, 2024, Rwanda escorted Southern African troops out of eastern Congo to Tanzania. This follows SADC’s decision to withdraw its military presence due to escalating conflict with M23 rebels. The situation in eastern Congo remains dire, with ongoing violence connected to historical and resource-related conflicts.
Rwanda has begun escorting troops from a Southern African force as they exit eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, moving through Rwandan territory to Tanzania. This operation, confirmed on Tuesday by Rwanda’s foreign minister and army spokesperson, follows the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) announcement that it would terminate its military mandate and gradually withdraw the SAMIDRC troops.
Since December 2023, these forces were deployed to aid the Congolese government’s struggle against various rebel factions, an involvement that has been contentious and has sparked objections from the Rwandan government. The Rwandan administration expressed concerns that the foreign troops would exacerbate the ongoing conflict. “The presence of SAMIDRC troops was always a complicating factor in the conflict, and today’s start of withdrawal marks a positive step in support of the ongoing peace process,” stated Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe via social media platform X.
Many troops from SAMIDRC, estimated to be in the hundreds, had taken shelter in U.N. peacekeeping bases after Goma — the largest city in eastern Congo — fell into the hands of the M23 rebels with Rwandan backing in February. Rwandan army spokesperson Ronald Rwivanga noted that a segment of these troops began their departure on Tuesday. Their convoy is expected to reach Tanzania within “a few hours.”
Eyewitness accounts indicated that around 20 vehicles, which were escorted by Rwandan military and police personnel, crossed the border into Gisenyi, Rwanda. Reports suggest that these vehicles were transporting military equipment along with soldiers from Tanzania and South Africa. One particular ambulance, displaying SAMIDRC markings, reportedly confirmed to bystanders its destination as Tanzania.
An insider from the M23 rebel group shared that only around half of the SAMIDRC contingent stationed in Goma departed on that day, with the rest anticipated to leave later. The M23 group has escalated its offensive since January, having taken control of two major cities. This conflict stems from longstanding tensions surrounding the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the competition for Congo’s vast mineral wealth. The violence has resulted in thousands of fatalities and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Rwanda continues to reject U.N. allegations indicating that it has provided military support to the M23, maintaining that its operations are purely defensive against assaults from Congo’s military and allied militia groups. Earlier this year, Rwanda urged the African Union and other entities to cease support for SAMIDRC, claiming that this coalition included armed groups associated with the individuals responsible for the Rwandan genocide.
Efforts at mediation, notably those facilitated by Angola and Qatar, have yet to produce results. Nonetheless, both Congo and Rwanda committed to formulating a draft peace agreement by May 2, per a deal made during negotiations in Washington last Friday.
In summary, Rwanda’s recent escorting of Southern African troops from Congo to Tanzania reflects a significant withdrawal of the SAMIDRC forces. This move is viewed positively by Rwanda amid ongoing tensions in the region. The complex backdrop of conflict arising from historical grievances and resource control remains a critical issue as efforts for a sustainable peace continue. Mediated discussions have so far, yielded little success, yet both nations aspire for an agreement by early May.
Original Source: www.marketscreener.com
