The mission led by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in North Kivu has come under scrutiny for its lack of effectiveness and hesitation in fulfilling its offensive mandate against the M23 “rebels”. Despite being deployed to support the Congolese Armed Forces in combating the rebels and restoring security in the region, the South African, Tanzanian, and Malawian troops seem reluctant to take decisive action. This has drawn criticism from the Congolese government, which is calling for a more robust commitment from the multinational forces.
Challenges, including political factors and reluctance from South Africa’s opposition to engage in the conflict, have hindered the SADC force’s ability to repel the attackers effectively. Recent diplomatic developments between South Africa, Rwanda, and Uganda have raised concerns about the commitment of SADC allies to carry out their offensive mandate. The warming relations between South Africa and Rwanda signal a potential shift in Pretoria’s stance towards involvement in the DRC conflict.
While recent diplomatic gestures between the countries suggest a desire for reconciliation, it remains unclear whether this will translate into peace in eastern DRC. The current situation prompts questions about the SADC force’s capacity and willingness to protect civilians and restore peace in a region plagued by instability. Cooperation from regional and international actors is essential to find lasting solutions to the enduring conflict in North Kivu.