Southern African leaders have declared on March 13 their intention to withdraw their troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where they have been assisting the Government in combating rebel forces. The troops were initially deployed two years ago to support the Congolese Army in its fight against the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, who have since captured significant portions of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo. The conflict has seen the deaths of at least 19 soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, with the M23 rebels taking control of the region’s largest city, Goma, in January.
The ongoing violence has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, sparking fears of a broader regional conflict. Despite this, the M23 rebels have continued to make territorial gains, seizing the second-largest city, Bukavu, in February. South Africa’s involvement in the conflict has drawn criticism, especially following the deaths of its soldiers, with public opposition growing. President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the fragile peace, stating that the situation was “precarious”, but the peace currently in place was holding. Political analysts, however, have described the situation as an “embarrassment” for South Africa, with concerns over the readiness of regional forces to handle such a large-scale war.
The announcement of the withdrawal, made during a virtual summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Harare, has raised concerns that it will weaken DR Congo’s position in the ongoing conflict. Experts suggest that the move marks a shift from active support for Kinshasa to a more neutral stance within the region. Despite the troop withdrawal, SADC has pledged to continue supporting efforts to bring lasting peace to DR Congo and has called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Angola has stepped forward to host peace talks between DR Congo and the M23 rebels in Luanda next week, with the M23 expressing their willingness to engage in dialogue.