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Southern African nations Thursday, March 13, 2025, announced the withdrawal of their military forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing an end to a two-year mission aimed at supporting the Congolese government in its battle against the M23 rebel group. The decision comes as the rebels continue their advance, capturing key territories and raising fears of escalating conflict in the region.
The eastern region of the DRC has been a hotspot for armed conflict for decades, with numerous rebel groups vying for control over its vast mineral wealth. The M23, a well-organized militia with alleged backing from Rwanda, re-emerged as a major force in 2022, seizing large portions of land and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
In response, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) deployed troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania to support the Congolese army. The intervention, however, struggled to contain the rebels. In January, M23 fighters captured Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, dealing a severe blow to government forces and their regional allies. The battle resulted in the deaths of at least 19 SADC soldiers. The following month, the rebels took Bukavu, the region’s second-largest city, further cementing their dominance.
South Africa’s involvement in the conflict has sparked criticism at home, particularly after its troops suffered losses in battle. Many South Africans, including opposition leaders, questioned the decision to send soldiers into what has become a prolonged and complex war. Critics argue that the deployment placed the country’s military in a precarious position without a clear strategy for success.
Announcing the withdrawal, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the dangers but insisted that “the situation is precarious, but the peace as it is now is holding.” However, this statement was quickly overshadowed by reports of new M23 advances, casting doubt on whether stability can be achieved anytime soon.
Sandile Swanda, a South African political analyst, described the withdrawal as a significant setback. “This is not just a military retreat; it signals that South Africa and SADC were not prepared for the scale of this conflict,” he said. “No country in the region is equipped to handle this kind of war—politically, militarily, or economically.”
The departure of SADC forces leaves the Congolese government in an increasingly vulnerable position. Analysts warn that without external military support, Kinshasa’s ability to push back the rebels will be severely weakened.
Stephanie Wolters, a senior research fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs, noted that the withdrawal marks a shift in SADC’s stance. “They have gone from being a strong ally of Kinshasa to adopting a more neutral position,” she said in an interview with the BBC. “This significantly reduces the Congolese government’s leverage in any future negotiations.”
Malawi had already announced its intention to withdraw troops in February, though President Lazarus Chakwera did not provide a clear reason for the decision. With the full withdrawal now underway, concerns are mounting that the security vacuum could allow M23 to expand its control even further, potentially drawing in additional regional actors and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
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