The SADC has ended its peacekeeping mission in the DRC after deadly clashes with M23 rebels resulted in the loss of peacekeepers. This decision follows significant public outcry in Malawi, leading to a halt of their deployment. Global shifts in peacekeeping dynamics, funding cuts, and ongoing neglect of crisis zones like Sudan illustrate the regional challenges in maintaining security and stability in Africa.
On March 13, leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced the conclusion of its peacekeeping mandate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to recent violence, which resulted in the deaths of several peacekeepers by M23 rebels. The SADC Mission in the DRC, known as SAMIDRC, was engaged to neutralize the M23 in eastern Congo amidst ongoing conflict. This decision to withdraw came shortly after new peace talks were initiated by mediators in Angola between the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed rebel group.
SAMIDRC succeeded previous deployments by the East African Community (EAC) and the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade, which had operated for over 20 years in the region. The SADC leaders announced a “phased withdrawal” following multiple incidents involving peacekeepers, including three Tanzanian troops’ fatalities from a mortar explosion in April 2024, and more recently, 10 South African and three Malawian soldiers who lost their lives during fighting in Goma.
Chimwemwe Tsitsi, an international relations expert from Malawi, suggested a potential need for a revision of the peacekeepers’ rules of engagement, highlighting a shift in their approach in the DRC from non-interference towards active engagement which may have contributed to the escalating conflict. Tsitsi indicated various factors contributing to the mission’s disbandment, stressing the changing dynamics of peacekeeping.
The fatalities of SAMIDRC peacekeepers triggered significant public outrage across southern Africa. Malawi promptly halted its deployment to the DRC in February, as President Lazarus Chakwera ordered preparations for withdrawal, a decision favored by many citizens, including Antony Manda, who asserted that Malawian soldiers should not engage in a war that is not theirs.
In contrast, South Africa increased its troop presence in the DRC, despite public discontent and protests from trade unions regarding the safety of its soldiers. Dr. Alex Vines of Chatham House expressed concerns over the effectiveness of ECOWAS missions in Guinea-Bissau amidst recent developments, while noting successful interventions in Gambia supported by peacekeepers from Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria since 2017.
African-led peacekeeping missions are currently on a decline, with the SADC Mission in Mozambique remaining active against an insurgency in Cabo Delgado Province, supported by troops from various southern African nations. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) phased out at the Congolese government’s request, marking a notable shift from previous decades of African Union-led conflict resolution efforts.
Chimwemwe Tsitsi noted that since the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeper mission in Mali, there has been a concerning trend towards the reduction of peacekeeping capabilities, compounded by funding deficits for such missions. The financial commitment for peacekeeping has seen a sharp decline, with UN expenditures dropping from approximately $6.4 billion in 2014 to $2.7 billion in 2024.
While the deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti demonstrates a rare exception of African forces engaging outside their continent, most African peacekeepers remain committed to missions throughout Africa. The UN lists several countries, including Rwanda, Egypt, and Ghana, as significant contributors to its peacekeeping initiatives. However, Tsitsi cautioned that certain regions, notably Sudan, face neglect and lack intervention during ongoing conflicts, calling attention to the challenges of African peacekeeping efforts.
This article elaborates on the recent cessation of the SADC peacekeeping mission in the DRC following violent conflicts that caused multiple fatalities among peacekeepers. The withdrawal reflects a broader trend of diminishing African-led peacekeeping initiatives amid mounting public discontent and decreased funding for such operations. While some nations increase their military presence in conflict zones, there remains an urgent need to reassess peacekeeping strategies to address the rising instability and neglected regions in Africa, particularly Sudan.
Original Source: www.dw.com
