By Deogratias Mmana:
Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has deployed troops from Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of peace and security restoration efforts.
The region has witnessed an increase in cases of conflict and instability caused by the resurgence of armed groups, especially M23 group.
According to a statement posted on the Sadc website www.sadc.int on January 4 2024, the troops are deployed under Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), with South Africa leading the troops.
The statement says the deployment of SAMIDRC was approved by the Extraordinary Sadc Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Windhoek, Namibia, on May 8 2023 as part of the a regional response to address the unstable and deteriorating security situation in Eastern DRC.
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“The presence of the SAMIDRC demonstrates the commitment of Sadc member states to supporting the DRC in its efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability and, ultimately, create an enabling environment for sustainable development and prosperity,” the statement reads.
The statement is signed by Sadc Head of Planning Element Brigadier Molatlhegi Ntelamo; SAMIDRC Chief of Staff Brigadier General Desmond Chawanda and Sadc Head of Communication and Public Relations Barbara Lopi.
The statement says the force commander for the mission is Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu from South Africa.
Sadc says the deployment of SAMIDRC is in accordance with the principle of collective self-defence and collective action outlined in the Sadc Mutual Defence Pact (2003).
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The pact emphasises that “Any armed attack perpetrated against one of the States Parties shall be considered a threat to regional peace and security and shall be met with immediate collective action”.
Malawi Defence Force spokesperson Emmanuel Mlelemba confirmed the development.
“As you are aware, Malawi is committed to peace in the Sadc sub-region and the whole of Africa. As such, we are deploying a battalion to DRC to support the peace enforcement mission under Sadc, besides the contingent we already have there under the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monusco).
“On each Troop Contributing Country (TCC) being responsible for its own weaponry and compensation, it is important to note that Malawi’s commitment to peace is unquestionable and [it] will make sure that this mission is successful. We are certain that our efforts will contribute towards achieving intended results because we, as a country, are committed to promoting and maintaining peace and security in the region. Besides, the troops will be operating in line with their conditions of service,” he said.
According to The East African publication on www.theeasternafrican.co.ke, on Friday, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi signed an agreement on the status of the Sadc force deployed to his country.
The publication quotes Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Christopher Lutundula as saying: “The Congolese government is committed to providing this force with the diplomatic facilities for this type of intervention.”
Expert in African security governance as well as South African military and foreign policy Thomas Mandrup says, in his paper on DRC missions, that the Sadc force is expected to attempt, in cooperation with local security forces, to neutralise the main rebel groups operating in eastern DRC which, he says, is something that the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco) and the East African Community Regional Force have not been able to achieve for 20 years.
Quoted on www.theconversation.com, Mandrup says the Sadc troop-contributing countries will be forced to fund the missions from their own budgets if the needed funds are not secured.
The other challenge, according to him, is whether member states will make needed capabilities and equipment available to the new force, allowing it to successfully fulfil its mandate.
Sadc is deploying the troops to DRC when the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country (Monusco) is ending after 20 years.
