SADC Withdraws from Eastern DRC as M23 Gains Control and Tensions Escalate
GOMA, DRC – March 13, 2025
SADC Force Withdrawal After Heavy Losses
The Southern African regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has announced the withdrawal of its forces from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after being neutralized by the M23 rebel group, which is allegedly supported by Rwanda’s military, according to a United Nations (UN) report. The SADC force, made up of South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, suffered significant losses, including 14 South African soldiers killed in January during an M23 offensive.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), initiated in December 2023, involved troop contributions from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi. South Africa committed approximately 2,900 soldiers, while Tanzania and Malawi each contributed about 2,100 soldiers. These forces were deployed to support the Congolese army in combating the M23 rebel group and other armed factions destabilizing the eastern regions of the DRC. However, the mission has faced significant challenges, including casualties among the peacekeeping forces. In February 2024, two South African soldiers were killed, and three others were injured in a mortar attack near Goma.
M23 Gains Control of Key Regions
In recent months, the M23 rebels have taken control of key cities, including Goma, and the mineral-rich North Kivu region, surrounding SADC camps and disarming foreign mercenaries who were fighting on the side of the DRC government. The mercenaries were disarmed and marched publicly as they were deported back to their home countries via the Rwandan airport. Since then, the group has created a de facto parallel government, challenging the authority of the DRC’s capital, Kinshasa. In a rally, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa declared their intent to march on Kinshasa, further signaling their ambition to expand beyond the region.
The roots of the conflict date back to the DRC’s independence from Belgium and have been compounded by historical tensions, including Rwanda’s concerns about Hutu militias and the integration of Tutsi Congolese. The region remains caught in a complex web of ethnic rivalries, political instability, and outside interventions, with millions of lives lost over decades of fighting.
Despite DRC President Félix Tshisekedi placing a bounty on the heads of M23 leaders and refusing negotiations, the withdrawal of SADC forces may provide an opportunity for de-escalation and peace efforts. Experts in South Africa have suggested that rather than continuing a futile military campaign, South Africa, as a key player in the Southern African regional bloc, should focus on diplomatic initiatives to bring about a negotiated settlement.
Strategic Challenges for South African Forces
The South African Force, which aimed to neutralize M23 and other rebel groups, was successful in 2012 but has struggled since M23 regained strength in 2024. The South African camp’s poor strategic location in a deep valley made it vulnerable to missile attacks from M23, leading to casualties. M23 also allegedly had intelligence and arms support from the Rwandan army.
There are some reports that the Rwandan army has entered eastern DRC, signaling that the military takeover of the region was well planned. However, South Africa maintained aerial superiority with its Rooivalk helicopters, which were deployed to provide critical support during previous operations and counter the rebel group’s advantage. Despite this, the strategic disadvantages on the ground and the poor funding of the military over the past decades ultimately overwhelmed the mission, leading to the withdrawal of the forces.
The loss of South African soldiers has sparked a diplomatic spat between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Kagame made his position clear, stating, “If South Africa wants to contribute to peaceful solutions, that is well and good, but South Africa is in no position to take on the role of a peacemaker or mediator. And if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.” This strong statement has further complicated the situation, underscoring the growing tensions between the two countries.
As the situation in eastern DRC continues to evolve, the future remains uncertain, with M23’s growing control and the potential for a broader regional conflict. South Africa, a leading nation in the Southern African regional bloc, is now under pressure to shift its focus toward accelerating diplomatic efforts rather than continuing military engagement in line with the AU agenda to silence the guns on the continent.
