Southern African regional bloc chiefs visit eastern DRC amid ongoing conflict
Top army officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) embarked on a crucial visit to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the region grapples with the escalating conflict between government forces and the M23 rebels.
The meeting, held in the capital of the embattled North Kivu province, Goma, brought together the chiefs of defence staff from SADC countries in a high-level coordination effort.
Congolese army spokesperson, General Sylvain Ekenge, described the purpose of the meeting as an assessment of the progress of operations on the ground and the fine-tuning of strategies to strengthen them.
He emphasized that the visit by the chiefs of staff conveyed a strong signal of commitment and determination from SADC and Burundi alongside the DRC.
This marked their first coordination meeting since the deployment of SADC troops in North Kivu, following an attack on SADC armored vehicles by M23 rebels just two days prior. During the visit to the strategic town of Saké on Friday, the rebels unleashed five bombs, resulting in casualties and injuries among the local population.
“We welcome their presence here, and think it has enabled them to understand the situation, having experienced the reality on the ground in terms of insecurity,” remarked Placide Nzilamba, a member of Goma civil society, expressing appreciation for the international involvement.
However, some residents of Goma remained skeptical about the impact of the visit on the ongoing conflict. Muisa Christian stated, “The future of the Congo in terms of security can only come from internal strategies given by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and not by the SADC countries.”
The M23 rebels, alleged to have ties to Rwanda, initiated an offensive in 2021, capturing significant portions of North Kivu province and prompting mass displacements. Aid organizations are expressing deep concern about the potential for a new humanitarian crisis, as the rebels’ advance threatens to isolate Goma city, leaving millions of people in dire need of food and medical assistance.
The eastern region of the DRC has been plagued by violence from both local and foreign armed groups for nearly three decades, underscoring the complex challenges facing the area. The outcome of the SADC chiefs’ visit and their coordinated efforts remains critical in addressing the pressing humanitarian and security issues in the region.
