The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially announced the conclusion of its military mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the tragic loss of at least a dozen soldiers in January 2025. This marks the end of a brief but intense intervention, as SADC troops, who were deployed in December 2023, were unable to stabilize the region amid escalating violence from the M23 rebel group.
The announcement followed a virtual summit convened by SADC leaders, during which they confirmed a phased withdrawal of their troops. South Africa, the largest contributor to the mission, lost 14 soldiers in combat, while Malawi also mourned the deaths of three soldiers. These casualties underscored the dangerous environment that troops were operating in as the M23 rebels advanced and seized control of key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, both of which are vital to the region’s stability.
The M23 group’s capture of strategic urban centers has trapped many soldiers in their bases and prompted growing calls for a full withdrawal of the mission, particularly in South Africa, where the loss of troops has spurred public outcry. The SADC mission, intended to assist the DRC government in restoring peace and security, now stands as a reminder of the immense challenges faced by regional forces in combating the ongoing insurgencies in the eastern DRC.
In the backdrop of this military pullback, Angola announced plans to host peace talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebels, scheduled to begin on March 18, 2025, in Luanda. SADC chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa stressed the importance of dialogue in addressing the crisis and preventing further instability in the region. “The urgency of dialogue cannot be overstated,” Mnangagwa said, calling for all parties involved to engage in talks to avoid exacerbating the conflict.
The peace talks come amid long-standing allegations that Rwanda has provided military support to the M23 fighters, a claim that Rwanda vehemently denies. The DRC government, however, has accused Rwanda of backing the rebel group, and reports suggest that the group’s offensive has resulted in over 7,000 deaths since January 2025 alone. U.N. experts also estimate that M23 is supported by approximately 4,000 troops from Rwanda.
The M23 is just one of more than 100 armed groups fighting for control of the mineral-rich eastern DRC, which holds some of the world’s largest reserves of essential minerals critical for global technology industries. These resource-rich areas have long been a source of conflict, with competing factions fighting for control over the wealth that flows from them.
The ongoing fighting has led to mass displacement, with more than 6 million people forced to flee their homes, contributing to what has become one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The crisis continues to strain both local resources and the international community’s ability to provide adequate aid, while also challenging regional diplomatic efforts to bring about peace and stability.
As the situation evolves, the international community will be closely watching the upcoming peace talks in Luanda, with hopes that they may pave the way for a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict that has plagued the region for decades. However, given the complexities of the crisis, including the involvement of multiple armed groups and neighboring countries, the prospects for peace remain uncertain.
