SADC Announces Phased Withdrawal of Troops from DRC Amid M23 Conflict

The SADC has decided to conduct a phased withdrawal of its troops from the DRC amid escalating conflict with M23 rebels, which have taken significant territory and led to numerous casualties. The withdrawal decision follows a virtual summit among 16 member state leaders and coincides with the announcement of upcoming peace talks between DRC and M23, mediated by Angola.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced a planned phased withdrawal of its troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Following a virtual summit of its 16 nation leaders, a communique was issued detailing the conclusion of the SADC mission, known as SAMIDRC, which has incurred significant losses, with at least a dozen soldiers killed in eastern DRC since January 2023.

M23 rebels have made considerable gains in eastern DRC, capturing essential cities such as Goma and Bukavu, leading to an estimated 7,000 fatalities according to the Congolese government. Although the specific troop numbers have not been publicly disclosed, it is believed that South Africa contributed at least 1,000 soldiers to the deployment. Unfortunately, South Africa and Malawi experienced casualties among their troops in the ongoing conflict.

During the summit, SADC chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa emphasized the need for urgent action to resolve the violence affecting the region. He highlighted that inclusive dialogue was vital and that reassessing the operations in DRC was of paramount importance. Concurrently, Angola announced that direct peace negotiations between the DRC and M23 rebels would commence on March 18, 2023.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco has engaged with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi regarding the peace talks, which aim to address the ongoing conflict exacerbated by Rwanda’s alleged support for M23. Despite Kinshasa’s hesitance to engage M23 in negotiations, there appears to be a willingness to explore the Angolan proposal, though some government sources remain cautious about the implications of including direct talks with M23.

The SADC’s troop withdrawal could further complicate President Tshisekedi’s efforts to tackle the M23 insurgency, as he has faced criticism regarding his response to the situation. Rwanda’s Foreign Minister has interpreted the troop withdrawal as a step toward peace in eastern DRC, despite ongoing allegations of Rwandan military support for the M23 faction. UN observers estimate that Rwanda may have stationed 3,000 to 4,000 troops in eastern DRC to aid the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies.

The SADC’s decision to withdraw its troops from the DRC comes in the context of increasing tensions stemming from the M23 rebel advances. The upcoming peace talks mediated by Angola present an opportunity for dialogue despite the challenges ahead. However, the withdrawal raises concerns about the Congolese government’s ability to manage the ongoing conflict and the stability of the region, particularly in light of Rwanda’s alleged involvement with M23.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com