Southern African Forces to Withdraw from DR Congo as Rebels Advance
SADC Leaders Announce Troop Withdrawal Amid Escalating Conflict
Southern African leaders have decided to withdraw their forces from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where they have been assisting the government in its fight against rebel forces.
The troops, deployed two years ago, were sent to support the Congolese army against the M23 rebels, a group backed by Rwanda that has seized significant portions of the mineral-rich region. This year, the conflict has intensified, with M23 capturing key cities.
The fighting has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, forcing many to flee their homes. In January, the rebels took control of Goma, the largest city in the region, killing at least 19 soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania. The situation worsened last month when M23 captured Bukavu, the region's second-largest city.
South Africa's deployment has been widely criticized, with public and political opposition growing, particularly after the deaths of its soldiers. Political analyst Sandile Swanda described the situation as "embarrassing" for South Africa, arguing that the country was unprepared for such an intense conflict.
"The rebels are extremely strong. This is a full-scale war, and South Africa is hardly ready for it," Swanda told the BBC. "No country in the SADC region is prepared—psychologically, militarily, or politically."
Malawi had already announced its troop withdrawal in February, though its president did not provide a specific reason.
The decision to begin a "phased withdrawal" was made during a virtual summit of the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC), held in Harare, Zimbabwe. Despite the military pullout, SADC leaders emphasized their commitment to supporting efforts for lasting peace through diplomatic and political means.
However, no official reason was given for the withdrawal.
SADC has held three emergency summits on DR Congo in recent months, but previous peace efforts have failed to resolve the conflict. It remains unclear how many troops have been deployed under the SADC mission, though 5,000 were initially planned, with South Africa contributing 2,900 and the rest divided between Malawi and Tanzania.
Ongoing Tensions and Uncertain Future
The withdrawal of SADC forces raises concerns about the future of the conflict, as M23 continues to gain ground. With fears of a broader regional escalation, the international community watches closely to see if diplomatic efforts can succeed where military intervention has struggled.
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