Southern African Troops to Withdraw from DR Congo as Rebels advance.
Southern African leaders have announced they will withdraw their troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where they have been supporting the government in its battle against the M23 rebel group.
Why Were Troops in DR Congo?
Two years ago, troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania were deployed to assist the Congolese army in fighting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. However, the rebel group has gained significant ground, capturing key cities, including Goma in January and Bukavu in February.
At least 19 soldiers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, including 14 from South Africa, have been killed in the conflict. Thousands of civilians have lost their lives, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced, fleeing their homes in search of safety.
Decision to Withdraw
During a virtual summit held in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, leaders from the 16-member SADC bloc decided to begin a “phased withdrawal” of their troops. The announcement did not specify a reason, but it comes after mounting criticism, especially in South Africa, where opposition parties and the public have questioned the country’s involvement in the war.
South African political analyst Sandile Swanda described the situation as “embarrassing” for the country, stating:
“The rebels are very strong. This is a full-on war, and South Africa is hardly ready for any such war. No country in the SADC region is ready for this war—psychologically, militarily, or politically.”
Malawi had already announced in February that its forces would be withdrawn, though no official reason was given at the time.
What Happens Next?
Despite the withdrawal, SADC leaders stressed that they would continue to support diplomatic and political solutions to bring lasting peace to DR Congo. However, previous peace efforts have largely failed to stop the fighting.
The number of SADC troops currently in DR Congo is unclear, but the mission was initially set to deploy 5,000 soldiers. South Africa contributed the largest contingent with 2,900 troops, while Malawi and Tanzania provided the rest.
A Growing Regional Crisis
The escalating conflict has raised fears of a wider regional war. The fighting in DR Congo is deeply intertwined with tensions between neighboring countries, particularly Rwanda, which is accused of backing M23 rebels.
With SADC troops leaving, the question remains: what comes next for DR Congo? Will diplomatic efforts be enough to end the bloodshed, or will the conflict spiral further out of control? Only time will tell.
