South Africa initiated the pullout of its peacekeeping forces from conflict-ridden eastern Congo, marking a significant retreat for a regional mission destabilised by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, according to AP News.
Troops from Malawi and Tanzania are also exiting the area, ending a fraught deployment that saw 17 soldiers killed earlier this year and left personnel stranded after rebels seized key cities.
The withdrawal follows a March decision by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to terminate its mission early after M23’s January offensive overran Goma, a strategic hub. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe stated Kigali was providing “safe passage” for the troops, though the move underscores the mission’s failure to curb rebel advances.
Malawi and Tanzania’s forces face similar logistical hurdles, with convoys navigating rebel-held zones. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assisted in evacuating hundreds of stranded Congolese soldiers, police, and their families from Goma to Kinshasa this week, highlighting the collapse of state authority in the east.
M23, bolstered by an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops according to UN experts, now controls Goma and swathes of North Kivu province. The group’s resurgence has derailed regional stability efforts, despite ongoing Qatar-mediated talks between Kinshasa and Kigali, backed by the US.
Congo accuses Rwanda of direct military support for M23, whereas the rebels demand political concessions, including integration into Congo’s army.
The SADC withdrawal deals a blow to hopes of containing one of Africa’s most intractable conflicts, which has displaced over 7 million people. With regional forces exiting, pressure mounts on a separate UN mission (MONUSCO) and a fledgling East African Community force to fill the void.
As Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi navigates the crisis, the international community faces renewed calls to address Rwanda’s alleged role and prevent further regional destabilisation.
