SADC troops start withdrawal from DRC after M23 rebels defeat

Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces have begun withdrawing from North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following their defeat by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in Goma and surrounding areas.

The withdrawal follows the fall of Goma city in January 2025, after which SADC troops, primarily from Tanzania and South Africa remained stationed at bases in Goma and Mugunga in Nyiragongo territory.

Earlier this month, M23 leaders and commanders of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) reached a ceasefire agreement, allowing the regional forces to remain armed and use the war-damaged Goma International Airport for their eventual exit, pending repairs.

However, tensions flared mid-month after M23 accused the SADC troops of breaching the ceasefire by allegedly collaborating with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and their allies in a deadly offensive west of Goma that left 52 people dead and triggered widespread panic among civilians.

On Tuesday, SADC troops began withdrawing, crossing from Goma into Rwanda via the Rubavu border. The contingent, accompanied by truckloads of ammunition, was escorted by Rwandan military personnel to undisclosed interior locations.

Neither M23 nor SADC authorities have issued an official statement on the withdrawal. A senior M23 source revealed to our reporter that the departing troops had requested to leave discreetly, without media presence. The withdrawal comes amid ongoing hostilities between M23 rebels and the DRC government, even as high-level peace talks are underway in Doha, Qatar.

Despite mediation efforts led by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, fighting broke out on Tuesday in several areas of South Kivu, including Kaziba, Nindi, Kabembe, Butuzi, Mwerwe, Budali, and Lwashandja. M23 now controls large swaths of North and South Kivu provinces, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu, as well as Goma International Airport and Kavumu Airport.

Since the resurgence of their insurgency in 2022, under the leadership of Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, M23 has claimed its struggle is against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the Congolese leadership. The DRC government, however, continues to accuse Rwanda of backing the rebel group—a claim both Rwanda and M23 firmly deny.