Tanzanian PresidentSamia Suluhu Hassan recently called an emergency meeting of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security, which took place on January 28, 2025, in Dar es Salaam. The meeting brought together heads of state from SADC member nations, although some, including DRC’s Félix Tshisekedi and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, attended virtually.
Note: Company, Blog, Church websites are free.
While the official statement from the Tanzanian government did not disclose the specifics of the discussions, reports indicate that the escalating conflict in eastern DRC was the primary focus. The ongoing battles between the M23 Movement and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) have drawn significant attention, prompting urgent calls for action from regional leaders.
SADC deployed troops to eastern DRC in December 2023 under the SAMIDRC mission, comprising forces from Tanzania, South Africa, and Malawi. The deployment followed significant battlefield successes by M23, which had been making strategic advances against FARDC.
Despite their presence, the SADC troops have faced significant challenges, including accusations of collaborating with armed groups such as FDLR, Wazalendo, and Burundian forces. However, their intervention has done little to halt M23’s advances, with the movement securing control over territories in Masisi, Rutshuru, Nyiragongo, Walikale, and parts of South Kivu’s Kalehe region.
A recentviral video on social medishowing south African soldiers raising a white flag, reportedly requesting a ceasefire from M23 fighters, sparked intense reactions. The footage was widely interpreted as a humiliating setback for SADC forces, forcing the South African government to release an official statement clarifying the situation.
Meanwhile, the ongoing fighting continues to take a heavy toll on SADC troops, with reports indicating that dozens of soldiers have been killed in North Kivu, further intensifying concerns over the mission’s effectiveness.
