The withdrawal of Southern African forces comes as M23 rebels take control of major cities and violence displaces thousands

Troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have begun to leave eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), AFP reported on Tuesday, citing a regional official. The complete withdrawal of the military contingent is expected to be finalized by the end of June.

The SADC, a bloc of 16 member states, announced in mid-March that it had ended the mandate and would start gradually withdrawing forces from its Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

The SAMIDRC was deployed in December 2023 to support the Congolese army against rebel groups, including the M23 movement. However, the mission has faced significant challenges and at least 20 SADC peacekeepers, including Malawian, Tanzanian, and South African soldiers, have been killed.

The withdrawal comes as M23 rebels have seized control of key cities in eastern DR Congo, including Goma and Bukavu. The offensive has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. 

The mineral-rich eastern region has experienced decades of violence, driven by the M23 and other armed groups fighting the authorities for power and minerals such as gold and diamonds. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the militants - claims that Kigali denies.

"The presence of SAMIDRC troops was always a complicating factor in the conflict, and today's start of withdrawal marks a positive step in support of the ongoing peace process," Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said on X.

While the current size of the deployment in the troubled Central African country is unknown, UN estimates suggest that about 1,300 SAMIDRC troops were dispatched out of the 5,000 approved. South Africa, which leads the mission, announced early last year that it would contribute 2,900 soldiers.

READ MORE: African bloc ends military mission in DR Congo

Since early 2025, at least 8,500 people, including children and peacekeepers, have been killed in escalating clashes between rebels and Congolese forces.