The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced a ‘phased withdrawal’ of its troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following a virtual summit held by leaders from the 16-nation regional bloc. The decision comes after the SADC mission, known as SAMIDRC, suffered losses of at least a dozen soldiers in the eastern DRC since January. The ongoing conflict in the region, which has seen three decades of unrest, prompted the decision to conclude the troop deployment.
The withdrawal of the SADC mission comes as peace talks between the DRC and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group are set to begin next week. The M23 has seized key cities in the eastern DRC, leading to significant loss of life and instability in the region. The withdrawal of the troops, primarily from South Africa, is expected to impact the efforts to restore peace and security in the area.
The SADC chairperson, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, emphasized the need for a greater sense of urgency to end the fighting and called for inclusive dialogue to achieve peace. The decision to begin direct peace talks between the DRC and M23 in Angola is seen as a positive step towards resolution. While the withdrawal of the SADC troops has been praised by Rwanda’s Foreign Minister as a contribution to peace in the region, concerns remain about the continued involvement of Rwanda in supporting the rebels.
The withdrawal of the SADC troops from the DRC is a significant development in the conflict and could impact the efforts to address the security challenges in the region. The decision highlights the complexities of the situation and the need for diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace in the DRC.
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