By In a significant development, South Africa has announced the withdrawal of its troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following the recent capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, by M23 rebels. The assault resulted in the deaths of at least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 South Africans and three Malawians.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision comes ahead of a joint summit between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), scheduled for February 7-8 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The summit aims to address the escalating crisis in the DRC.
Reports indicate that some South African soldiers in the DRC have communicated dire conditions at their bases to their families. This situation has intensified calls within South Africa for a reassessment of the country’s military engagements in the region.
Malawi has also decided to withdraw its forces from the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), following the loss of three Malawian peacekeepers during the fall of Goma. The SAMIDRC, deployed to combat armed groups, has faced significant challenges against the advancing M23 rebels.
In his recent State of the Nation address, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s dedication to continental peace efforts but acknowledged the complexities in the DRC. He emphasized the importance of diplomatic initiatives, such as the Luanda Process, in securing a ceasefire.
Defense analyst Helmoed Heitman has criticized the SADC mission in the DRC, describing the fall of Goma as a decisive setback. He noted that SAMIDRC forces, along with UN peacekeepers and the Congolese army, were unable to halt the M23 advance, leading to a situation where troops are essentially confined to their bases. Heitman argues that this represents a complete mission failure and calls for a reassessment of the strategy moving forward.
The upcoming summit in Tanzania is expected to bring together leaders from both SADC and EAC member states, including DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, and officials from South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. The meeting aims to forge a unified response to the crisis, addressing both military strategies and the broader humanitarian situation.
The M23 rebellion has led to a humanitarian catastrophe, displacing millions and further destabilizing the region. Allegations of support for armed groups by neighboring countries have further complicated peace efforts. The joint summit represents a shift toward a more coordinated African-led approach to conflict resolution, with leaders aiming to establish a lasting solution to the crisis.
The success of the summit will be measured not only by diplomatic agreements but also by the concrete actions that follow, as African leaders seek to take the lead in crafting a sustainable resolution to the conflict in the DRC.
South Africa’s Withdrawal from DRC Amid Rising Tensions
