SADC acknowledges lack of preparedness in combatting M23 in the DRCongo --[Reported by Umva mag]

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has acknowledged that its peacekeeping forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were not fully equipped to engage in combat with the armed group M23. The SADC troops, deployed under the SAMIDRC mission, arrived in eastern DRC in December 2023, replacing the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF).

Unlike the EACRF, which was focused on peacekeeping and mediating between conflicting parties, SAMIDRC had a mandate to directly engage with M23, a group that has long destabilized parts of eastern DRC. However, despite this mandate, M23 remained undeterred. Even when targeted by DRC’s national army, the group continued to expand its territorial control. Since December 2023, M23 has seized strategic locations, including Rubaya, Nyanzale, and Kanyabayonga in the Lubero territory.

As SAMIDRC nears the completion of its first year in DRC, SADC member states sent senior military officials to Goma on October 1, 2024, to evaluate the mission’s progress. Among the officials was Gen. Maj. Ibrahim Mike Mhona from Tanzania, who admitted that SAMIDRC’s initial deployment was hampered by a lack of necessary combat equipment.

“We are prepared to strengthen our support to the DRC government forces,” Gen. Maj. Mhona said. “But when our troops first arrived, they faced significant challenges due to the lack of the equipment required for battlefield operations.”

In response, the DRC government has requested that the United Nations Security Council transfer military equipment previously used by MONUSCO peacekeeping forces to SAMIDRC. The United States has expressed support for this request but stressed that the provision of equipment should not fuel further conflict. The U.S. maintains that political dialogue remains the key to resolving the situation.

Despite some frustrations from the Congolese public over the perceived limited results of SAMIDRC, Gen. Maj. Mhona defended the peacekeepers, stating that they had assisted the DRC’s armed forces (FARDC) in reclaiming territories previously held by M23.

The DRC army recently announced the recapture of some areas from M23, although it did not disclose specific locations, leaving room for skepticism among some observers. Nevertheless, the combined efforts of SAMIDRC and FARDC are seen as vital in stabilizing the volatile eastern region of the country.

As SADC forces continue their mission, the focus remains on addressing logistical gaps and improving collaboration with international partners to bring lasting peace to the DRC

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