Southern African forces have begun evacuating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a regional official confirmed on Tuesday. The withdrawal follows the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) decision last month to end its mission in the region.
The SADC, which includes 16 member nations, initially deployed troops to the eastern DRC in December 2023 to support the government in combating the M23 armed group. However, the mission was marred by heavy casualties, with 17 soldiers killed in the conflict.
“Soldiers are moving by road to Tanzania as part of the withdrawal plan,” said the SADC official. The move marks a significant shift in the regional response to the ongoing violence, which has seen the M23, backed by Rwanda, capture large areas of North and South Kivu provinces.
The withdrawal comes despite the signing of a US-backed peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC last week. The two countries committed to finalizing a peace deal by May 2, though fighting continues.
The SADC mission, known as SAMIDRC, had deployed soldiers from Malawi, Tanzania, and South Africa, with estimates suggesting at least 1,300 troops. South Africa, which contributed the majority of troops, faced mounting pressure after 14 soldiers were killed in January, sparking calls for withdrawal.
Rwanda has criticized the mission, claiming it exacerbated the conflict. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed hope that the pullout would contribute to peace efforts in the region.
As tensions persist, the future of peace in the DRC remains uncertain, with both regional and international stakeholders closely monitoring the evolving situation.