Hundreds of South African soldiers have landed in eastern Congo as part of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) military deployment to combat the M23 rebels. The arrival of over 200 South African soldiers at Goma Airport in North Kivu on December 27, 2023, marks a significant step in the SADC’s plan to deploy at least 7,000 soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
SADC’s mission is clear: the combat forces aim to confront and defeat the M23 rebels within a 12-month timeframe. The military force consists of commando assault units, artillery personnel, logistics teams, and airmen. In preparation, SADC has recently deployed heavy military equipment in eastern DRC.
DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula, emphasized the primary objective of the SADC force: to quell the M23 rebellion. This military intervention follows President Felix Tshisekedi’s decision to order the exit of the East African Regional Force due to its perceived failure in countering the M23 rebels.
Recent election results indicate Tshisekedi’s strong lead, with 77% of the total vote count, reinforcing expectations of another five-year term for the DRC President. The SADC deployment stems from a decision made in August 2023 during a meeting in Luanda, Angola, attended by leaders from various SADC nations, including South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, and others.
While the use of military force is deemed necessary to combat the M23 rebels, diplomats stress the importance of diplomatic efforts to address the underlying grievances of militia groups for sustained regional stability. In 2013, SADC’s Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) successfully defeated the M23 rebels, showcasing the potential of diplomatic and military cooperation in restoring peace to the region.
