South Africa Deploys Troops – South Africa is sending thousands of troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in an effort to curb rebel attacks, escalating one of Africa’s most severe humanitarian crises. The South African military confirmed two soldiers killed and three wounded in recent attacks. The deployment is part of a regional initiative by the South African Development Community (SADC) to support the DRC against the M23 rebel group. The move comes after a previous East African military mission was perceived as a failure. The situation in the DRC has forced thousands to flee, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
In the past week, clashes between the DRC armed forces and the M23 rebel group have triggered mass displacement, with people fleeing to safer areas, including the regional capital, Goma. Despite the volatile situation, the rebels are closing in on Goma, raising concerns about the safety of the city’s two million residents.
The conflict in the DRC’s eastern region involves numerous rebel groups seeking control over rich natural resources like cobalt and copper. The M23 group, named after a 2009 peace treaty, operates in the hills near the Rwandan border. It claims to defend ethnic Congolese Tutsis facing discrimination but is accused by the UN and the DRC of being funded by Rwanda to control minerals, leading to a diplomatic rift.
The M23’s resurgence in 2021 intensified in March 2022 with a major offensive. The violence has escalated, causing numerous deaths and displacing thousands. The rebels have seized towns in the eastern North Kivu province, advancing towards Goma. The humanitarian toll is severe, with displaced people facing hunger and limited access to aid.
Previous military interventions by the East African Community (EAC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) have been perceived as failures. The EAC mission, which ended in December 2023, faced challenges due to differences in interpretation of its mandate, resulting in defensive operations rather than pushing back the rebels.
MONUSCO, present in the DRC for over 25 years, has been criticized for its inability to quell insecurity. Frustrations with UN forces led to violent protests, and the force’s dissolution was voted by the UN Security Council. Its phased withdrawal is underway, set to complete by April.
The SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), deployed on December 15, is taking over from the EAC mission. Comprising troops from Malawi, Tanzania, and South Africa, SAMIDRC is already present in areas around Sake, a strategic town in the rebels’ advance toward Goma. Concerns arise about the force’s effectiveness against the well-armed M23.
Experts note that M23 has become more formidable since 2013 when the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) helped push it out. South Africa’s core role in the current mission has faced challenges from underfunding, with the deployment costing 2 billion rand. Additionally, SADC troops are simultaneously engaged in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, battling ISIL-linked fighters. The risk of prematurely withdrawing from Mozambique raises concerns about the potential resurgence of extremist groups.
The situation remains complex, with uncertainties about the success of the SADC intervention and its impact on the humanitarian crisis in the DRC.
