Written by Lisa Murimi
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially withdrawn its regional peacekeeping force, SAMIDRC, from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the end of a short and turbulent deployment aimed at stabilizing the conflict-hit region.
Deployed on December 15, 2023, after the withdrawal of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), SAMIDRC entered the region with a more aggressive mandate — to neutralize militant groups and support the DRC government in restoring peace.
Troops from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi were stationed in hotspots near Goma, including Sake.
Despite high expectations and past success from similar forces like the 2013 Force Intervention Brigade, SAMIDRC struggled to contain the resurgence of the M23 rebel group.
The mission suffered heavy losses and was ultimately unable to reclaim areas seized by the rebels, who captured Goma in January.
On Tuesday, images and videos showed SADC troops crossing into Rwanda in a coordinated withdrawal agreed upon with M23 under a negotiated ceasefire.
A February summit of SADC Heads of State found the mission had failed to meet its objectives.
By March, the bloc concluded that military intervention alone could not resolve the crisis in eastern DRC.
SAMIDRC’s withdrawal underscores the shifting realities in Central Africa, where diplomacy, not just firepower, may hold the key to peace.
The DRC’s path forward now depends on political dialogue, regional cooperation, and renewed international support.
