Qatar’s mediation raises questions about AU, SADC effectiveness

THE conflict dynamics in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are fast evolving. One of the major actors in the conflict, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), held a virtual Extraordinary Summit last week to discuss the security situation in the country.

- DR SIZO NKALA

The Summit decided to terminate the mandate of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and begin a phased withdrawal of the troops and equipment from the conflict-torn country. The SAMIDRC was deployed to the DRC in December 2023 to help the government of that country neutralise the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC which had intensified its offensive against government forces.

This was in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003 which enjoins the organization to come to the defence of a member state in the event of an external or internal attack. South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania contributed troops to the mission.

Last November, the mandate of the mission was extended by another year as the organisation felt that the security situation in the DRC had not improved. However, in the past three months, the SAMIDRC has proved no match for the rebels who have rapidly captured huge tracts of territory in North and South Kivu.