Southern African leaders have subtly endorsed a political solution to the Congo conflict, terminating a military mission they had deployed there more than a year ago.
The decision means troops in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which was deployed in December 2023, will begin a phased withdrawal.
SAMIDRC had replaced another mission from the East African Community (EACRF), which had been criticised in Kinshasa for not targeting rebels.
“[The] Summit terminated the mandate of SAMIDRC and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the DRC,” the communiqué said, adding that it had noted the increasing humanitarian needs in the DRC.
The regional leaders on Thursday also called for a “diplomatic and political solution” to the conflict that has displaced millions of people.
The SADC leaders adopted the resolution at an extraordinary summit on Thursday, held virtually to discuss the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC.
At least 20 soldiers from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi were killed when the M23 rebels seized the eastern DRC city of Goma in January.
SAMIDRC mandate had been renewed in November after a year of struggles to combat M23.
“[The] Summit emphasised its dedication to addressing the ongoing conflict in the DRC and reaffirmed its commitment to support interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security in eastern DRC, in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003.”
The leaders also said they were concerned about the continued deterioration of the security situation in the eastern DRC, “including the capturing of Goma and Bukavu, and the blockage of the main supply routes, making it difficult for humanitarian aid to flow.”
“Summit commended the troops for their selfless act, unity, diligence resiliency shown since the beginning of the mission,” the communique added.
In January, Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused the SAMIDRC peacekeepers of being a belligerent force after his country came under scrutiny for allegedly backing the M23 rebels.
At the time, President Kagame warned South Africa, one of the largest contributors of troops to the SAMIDRC, that if it preferred “confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”
Rwanda continues to deny claims that it is behind the M23 rebels, even after Western countries imposed sanctions on Kigali for its alleged role in the eastern DRC conflict.
Speculation that SADC might withdraw its forces from the DRC and push for a ceasefire and peace talks began after the killing of the peacekeepers.
The majority of SADC member states have been lacklustre in their support of SAMIDRC with only South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi contributing troops to the mission, which was mandated to help the DRC government “neutralise negative forces and armed groups in the eastern DRC”.
SADC member states contribute to the budget for the mission. The African Union Commission also provides logistical and financial support to the mission.
In 2021, SADC deployed a regional force in Mozambique to help quell an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region.
The SADC force struggled to make an impact due to low troop contributions by member states and lack of resources until Rwanda sent its troops, which helped to turn the tide against the rebels.
Meanwhile, the summit leaders threw their weight behind a joint move by SADC and the East African Community (EAC) to merge the Luanda and Nairobi processes and the inclusion of more mediators in the search for peace in the DRC.
“Summit reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic solution with all parties including state, non-state parties, military and non-military in the eastern DRC for the restoration of peace, security and tranquility in the country,” the communique added.
