The Southern African regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has decided to end its military mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following significant losses, including the deaths of over a dozen soldiers in January.
This decision was made during a virtual summit on Thursday, marking the conclusion of a mission that had aimed to help restore peace and security in a region plagued by conflict for nearly three decades.
The summit issued a statement on Thursday, March 13, 2025, confirming that the mandate of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) had been terminated, with a phased withdrawal of troops to begin.
The SAMIDRC, which was comprised of troops from Malawi, Tanzania, and South Africa, had been deployed in December 2023 to support the DRC government in its fight against ongoing unrest.
However, the mission faced heavy casualties, particularly from South Africa, which lost 14 soldiers in January during clashes in the region.
Additionally, three Malawian soldiers and two Tanzanian troops were also killed in the fighting.
South Africa, which is believed to have contributed the majority of the troops, has faced growing calls for the withdrawal of its forces, especially as reports indicate that some soldiers are currently confined to their base by M23 fighters.
The announcement of the military pullout came just one day after Angola confirmed that peace talks between the DRC and the M23 group would begin next week in Luanda.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remarked that the withdrawal would be gradual, taking into account the evolving conditions on the ground.
Despite the precarious situation, he expressed hope that the ongoing peace efforts and the beginning of negotiations would help consolidate stability in the region.
SADC, alongside the East African Community, has supported a diplomatic and political resolution to the conflict, urging the international community to address the growing humanitarian crisis.
The situation remains delicate, with the M23, supported by Rwanda, continuing its advance in the DRC’s mineral-rich eastern region.
Angola’s President Joao Lourenco has also been involved in efforts to mediate the talks, which have gained renewed momentum after he met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, who had previously rejected direct negotiations with the M23.
