Southern African Troops Withdraw from DR Congo Amid Rising Rebel Attacks

Fri Mar 14 2025 14:45:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)
Southern African Troops Withdraw from DR Congo Amid Rising Rebel Attacks

Southern African Development Community leaders announce troop withdrawal as M23 rebels gain control of key areas.


The withdrawal signals a precarious moment for peace in the region as fighting intensifies and analysts raise concerns over escalated conflict.

With rising tensions and significant territorial gains by the M23 rebels, Southern African leaders have decided to withdraw their troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The troops were initially deployed two years ago to bolster the Congolese army against the Rwandan-backed M23 forces, who have dramatically expanded their control over the mineral-rich eastern region this year. At least 19 soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania lost their lives when the M23 captured the crucial city of Goma in January.

The ongoing conflict has led to thousands of casualties and left countless people homeless as they flee from violence. Concerns over a potential regional conflict have escalated, particularly as M23 continues to push its offensive, recently seizing Bukavu, the second-largest city in the area.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the troop withdrawal, expressing concerns over the precarious situation while noting that current peace efforts are still holding. However, political analysts describe the scenario as "embarrassing" for South Africa, highlighting the lack of readiness for meaningful engagement in what has turned into a full-blown war.

The decision came during an emergency virtual summit of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), which did not provide specific reasons for the withdrawal. Analysts argue that the move jeopardizes the stability of the Congolese government in Kinshasa, shifting Sadc's position from supportive to neutral.

Malawi's president had already announced a planned troop withdrawal earlier in the year, a step towards a wider scaling back of military involvement by the regional bloc. Although Sadc stated it would continue to support peace interventions, past peace processes in DR Congo have faced significant hurdles.

Angola has offered to host peace talks next week between DR Congo and the M23, a proposal welcomed by the latter. However, President Félix Tshisekedi of DR Congo has historically resisted direct negotiations with the M23, insisting on discussions exclusively with Rwanda.

As troop numbers are uncertain, it has been reported that approximately 5,000 troops were to be deployed, with South Africa contributing the bulk. The future of peace in DR Congo is unclear as Sadc faces challenges in finding a diplomatic resolution amidst increasing violence.

MORE ON THEME

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 08:08:32 GMT

'Massacre Allegations Emerge as M23 Rebels Consolidate Power in Eastern DR Congo'

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 08:08:32 GMT
Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:59:10 GMT

**Tragedy in the Heart of Goma: Eyewitnesses Share Harrowing Accounts of Mass Killings by M23 Rebels**

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:59:10 GMT
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:21:53 GMT

Tensions Rise as Putin Outlines Conditions for Ukraine Ceasefire

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:21:53 GMT
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:02:24 GMT

Front-Line Troops Skeptical of Peace as War Rages On

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:02:24 GMT
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:19:58 GMT

Southern African Troops Begin Withdrawal from DR Congo Amid Rising Rebel Threat

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:19:58 GMT
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:17:34 GMT

Houthi Rebels Enhance Drone Technology with Stealth Capabilities

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:17:34 GMT
Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:01:08 GMT

Moscow Negotiations on Ukraine Cease-fire Loom as Tensions Rise**

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:01:08 GMT
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:27:37 GMT

**Putin's Potential Path: Navigating the US-Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal**

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:27:37 GMT
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:22:15 GMT

### Trump Considers Potential Minerals Partnership with Conflict-Torn DR Congo

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:22:15 GMT
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 09:37:01 GMT

**Turkey's Ongoing Military Offensive Despite Call for Kurdish Disarmament**

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 09:37:01 GMT
Wed, 12 Mar 2025 08:29:13 GMT

Trump Eyes Potential Minerals Partnership with Troubled DR Congo

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 08:29:13 GMT
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 22:41:41 GMT

# Renewed Russian Offensive on Sudzha Alters Dynamics in Ukraine Conflict

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 22:41:41 GMT
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:30:31 GMT

**Ukraine Offers 30-Day Ceasefire Proposal to Russia Amid New Peace Talks**

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:30:31 GMT
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:02:08 GMT

Uganda Sends Special Forces to South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:02:08 GMT
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:27:55 GMT

### Diverging Paths to Peace: Ukraine and U.S. Engage in Cease-Fire Talks

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:27:55 GMT
Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:26:47 GMT

**Rwanda's Strategy: Leveraging Sports and Culture Amid Conflict**

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:26:47 GMT
Sun, 09 Mar 2025 19:50:28 GMT

**DR Congo Puts $5 Million Bounty on Rebel Leaders Amid Ongoing Conflict**

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 19:50:28 GMT
Sun, 09 Mar 2025 12:21:04 GMT

DR Congo Puts $5 Million Bounty on Rebel Leaders Amid Ongoing Conflict

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 12:21:04 GMT
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 11:28:18 GMT

Renewed Violence in Syria Claims Hundreds of Lives Amid Political Turmoil**

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 11:28:18 GMT
Fri, 07 Mar 2025 23:30:13 GMT

U.S. Halts Satellite Imagery Support for Ukraine Amid Peace Talks Push

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 23:30:13 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.