Southern African leaders have announced that their troops will gradually withdraw from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where they have been aiding the Congolese army in battling the M23 rebel group.
The decision was made during a virtual summit of the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC). The withdrawal comes after heavy losses, with at least 17 soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania killed when the M23 rebels captured the strategic city of Goma in January.
SADC forces were deployed two years ago to assist the Congolese government in fighting the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. However, despite their efforts, the rebels have continued to gain ground, most recently seizing Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern DRC.
While the troop withdrawal marks the end of direct military involvement, SADC leaders affirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace in the region.
The M23 rebellion has been a significant threat to stability in eastern DRC, displacing thousands of civilians and causing widespread violence. With the withdrawal of SADC forces, concerns are rising over the Congolese army’s ability to contain the advancing rebels.