SADC to Withdraw Troops from DRC Amid Escalating M23 Conflict

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will withdraw its troops from the DRC amid escalating conflict with M23 rebels. Following a virtual summit, SADC leaders agreed to a phased withdrawal and emphasized the need for urgent dialogue. Peace talks between the DRC and M23 are set to begin next week, amidst ongoing concerns regarding Rwanda’s involvement and the impact of the troop withdrawal on regional stability.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced a phased withdrawal of its troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following losses suffered in the region. The conclusion of their deployment was discussed in a virtual summit among leaders from the 16-nation bloc, which has seen over a dozen soldiers lost since the beginning of the year amid ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC, a region plagued by violence for three decades.

Following this summit, Angola confirmed that peace talks between the DRC and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group will commence next week. A communique from the meeting indicated that the SADC mission, known as SAMIDRC, would be terminated, with troop withdrawals to begin immediately

M23 has rapidly gained territory in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, taking important cities like Goma and Bukavu. The Congolese government reports that the conflict has resulted in at least 7,000 deaths since January. Although the exact number of SADC troops is undisclosed, South Africa is believed to have provided approximately 1,000 soldiers.

SADC chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, emphasized the necessity of urgent dialogue to address the escalating violence in the region. With the Angolan mediation efforts underway, direct negotiations between the DRC and M23 are expected to take place in Luanda on March 18.

Sources within the Congolese government revealed that the latest proposals from Angola are seriously under consideration. Initial discussions will include direct communication with M23, although concerns about Rwanda’s involvement persist. President Tshisekedi faces heightened scrutiny regarding his handling of the M23 situation, especially in light of SADC’s withdrawal, which may affect their efforts against rebel groups.

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe commented that this withdrawal is a positive move towards establishing peace in eastern DRC. Meanwhile, UN experts maintain that Rwanda is providing support to M23 and has a significant troop presence in the region, a claim that the Rwandan government denies.

The SADC’s withdrawal from the DRC marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about the future of regional stability. With growing calls for dialogue and peace talks set to begin, the international community will be watching closely to see if these negotiations yield a durable resolution to the violence. The situation remains tense as stakeholders assess their next moves amidst criticism directed at the Congolese leadership.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com