The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially ended its military mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and called for a phased withdrawal of troops.
This decision was made during an Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government held on March 13, 2025, to address the worsening security situation in the Eastern DRC.
The summit, chaired by Zimbabwean President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, was attended by leaders or representatives from Zimbabwe, Botswana, the DRC, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Mauritius, Angola, and Seychelles.
The leaders reviewed the security situation in the DRC and assessed the mandate of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) following a report from the Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit held on March 6, 2025.
“SADC expresses its deepest condolences to the families of soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania who lost their lives while serving under SAMIDRC,” the statement read.
The summit noted with grave concern the continued deterioration of security, including the capture of Goma and Bukavu, and the blockage of key supply routes, which has made humanitarian aid delivery difficult.
The leaders commended the deployed troops for their selfless acts and resilience, calling for the protection of civilians, adherence to international humanitarian law, and unhindered access to affected areas.
“SADC remains committed to supporting the DRC in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity while promoting sustainable peace, security, and development,” the summit declared.
President Mnangagwa reiterated SADC’s decision to implement solutions, strengthen security, and protect communities.
The summit reaffirmed support for ongoing regional peace initiatives, particularly the merger of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes, and called for broader diplomatic engagement with both state and non-state actors.
They also welcomed United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773, which aligns with regional peace efforts led by the African Union, East African Community, Economic Community of Central African States, and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi expressed gratitude to SADC for its continuous support in addressing the region’s security challenges. The summit also praised Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her leadership in advancing peace and security efforts in the region.
The summit concluded with a call for international support, urging the United Nations, the African Union, and other global partners to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the ongoing conflict.
The termination of the SADC military mission in the DRC may lead to increased reliance on humanitarian organizations to address the escalating crisis. However, the security situation is likely to worsen, as armed groups may take advantage of the withdrawal, further destabilizing the region and exacerbating violence and instability.
