KEY POINTS
- SADC announces phased troop withdrawal from the DRC conflict zone.
- The high number of casualties and serious logistic challenges made the mission too difficult to maintain.
- Over 8,500 people have been killed in the DRC since January.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced that it will begin phasing out its military presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the end of its controversial mission in the conflict-ridden region.
The decision was made during a virtual summit on Thursday, where leaders from the 16-nation bloc discussed the worsening security situation in eastern DRC.
The SAMIDRC mission, launched in December 2023, was meant to support the Congolese army in fighting rebel groups. However, with increasing casualties and logistical challenges, SADC military chiefs have admitted that the mission has become untenable.
SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed that, despite the withdrawal, the regional body remains committed to assisting the DRC through other non-military means.
“Based on well-considered factors and reflections on the initial mandate, this extraordinary SADC summit has made the bold decision to withdraw our mission from the eastern DRC,” Mnangagwa said.
SADC troop losses and shifting strategies
The decision to withdraw troops comes after a series of deadly clashes between SADC forces and the M23 rebel group, which has intensified its attacks in the region.
Despite extending its mandate in late 2024, the mission faced significant setbacks this year, with at least 19 soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania killed during fighting in Goma.
According to New Zimbabwe, the continued losses have fueled growing concerns over the sustainability of SADC’s military intervention.
The withdrawal plan is expected to take place in phases, with the details likely to be discussed in an extraordinary summit in the coming weeks. However, SADC leaders insist that they will continue monitoring the political and security situation in the region.
DRC conflict continues to escalate
The eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo experiences one of Africa’s most enduring conflicts since the 1990s, as the Congolese government fights against M23 rebel forces.
Since the beginning of the year, over 8,500 people have been killed, according to Congolese authorities. Thousands of civilians became displaced during this ongoing crisis, which aggravated the already severe humanitarian problem.
While M23 claims to be fighting for minority rights, the DRC government accuses the group of attempting to seize control of mineral-rich territories in the eastern region.
The rebels continue to gain ground despite military interventions by both SADC and the East African Community (EAC).
With SADC troops preparing to exit, many fear the security situation could further deteriorate, leaving the Congolese army struggling to maintain control over the volatile region.
