The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to be worrying, particularly in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru and Nyiragongo, where sporadic fighting pits the Congolese army against the rebels of the M23 movement. However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon with the arrival of Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces in North Kivu.
After months of relatively calm ceasefire, clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels have resumed. Faced with this situation, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) are counting on the support of the SADC to strengthen the effectiveness of their operations on the ground. Indeed, the previously deployed EAC (East African Community) regional force was deemed harmless and ineffective in the fight against the M23 rebels, leading to the deployment of the SADC.
The SADC, through its mission called SAMIDRC, came to support the FARDC to carry out offensive operations aimed at recovering territories illegally occupied by the rebels. Unlike the EAC mission, the SADC mission is defined in its Chapter 6, which allows it to carry out offensive operations comparable to Chapter 7 of the United Nations.
The commander of the FARDC land force, Lieutenant General Fall Sikabwe, stressed the importance of this offensive mission to allow the return of displaced populations to their territories. He recalled that the SADC mission aims to restore peace and security by recovering territories occupied by the enemy.
The commander of the SADC mission in the DRC, South African Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu, was appointed to lead this operation. With his experience as Commander of the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) and the 8th South African Infantry Battalion, Dyakopu brings valuable expertise to the SADC mission.
The SADC mission to the DRC was deployed in December 2023, following approval at the Extraordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government. The objective is to respond to the unstable and deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, by providing concrete support to the Congolese government.
This SADC intervention offers new hope in the fight against armed groups in the DRC. The offensive operations carried out by this regional force can help restore peace and security in the territories affected by the clashes. It is important to emphasize that SADC support is not only limited to the military aspect, but also includes stabilization and reconstruction efforts to promote the return of displaced populations.
In conclusion, the arrival of SADC forces in North Kivu in support of the FARDC represents a turning point in the fight against armed groups in the DRC.. The engagement of an offensive mission aims to recover the illegally occupied territories and restore peace and security in the region. The displaced population can now hope to return to their lands thanks to this joint action between the FARDC and the SADC.