South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania join forces against M23 rebels in DR Congo

Summary:

• Joint South African, Malawian, and Tanzanian forces, part of the SAMIDRC mission, are set to engage armed groups in Eastern DR Congo, approved by SADC, amid concerns about potential disruptions to peace initiatives and threats from M23 rebels.

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A joint mission comprising South African, Malawian, and Tanzanian forces is set to lead a specialized operation against militants in the volatile Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), as announced by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The SADC statement on Thursday outlined the collaboration with Congolese forces to combat armed groups, including the M23 insurgents, in Eastern DR Congo.

The deployment of the Southern African Development Community Mission in DR Congo (SAMIDRC) aligns with the principles of collective self-defense and collective action outlined in the SADC Mutual Defence Pact (2003). The pact emphasizes the perception that any armed attack against one of the state parties constitutes a threat to regional peace and security, warranting immediate collective action, according to the SADC statement.

Heading the SAMIDRC mission is South African Maj Gen Monwabisi Dyakopu, and the deployment was officially approved by the SADC heads of state on May 8, 2023. Notably, this mission does not include contributions from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, and Angola, unlike previous conflicts in Eastern DR Congo.

While the troops were deployed on December 14, 2023, they have yet to commence operations due to a ceasefire brokered by the United States of America between Congolese forces and M23 rebels. The DRC government and the United Nations have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that Rwanda denies.

These three Southern African nations have been actively participating in peacekeeping efforts under the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), which has been combating armed groups in Eastern DR Congo. However, MONUSCO has begun winding up its operations in the troubled country.

The deployment of SADC troops raises concerns about potential disruptions to ongoing peace initiatives, such as the Nairobi Process and Luanda negotiations, aimed at halting hostilities between Congolese troops and rebels. The Nairobi Process, involving East African Community members, sought to bring an end to the fighting in eastern DR Congo by deploying regional forces and resolving conflicts between Rwanda and the DRC. Unfortunately, the East Africa Community Regional Forces (EACRF) withdrew their soldiers from DR Congo last month after Kinshasha declined to extend their mandate.

Notably, the M23 rebels have threatened to retaliate against SADC troops if they come under attack. In 2013, SADC-backed Congolese forces successfully defeated the M23 rebels, who had previously captured Goma City.