SADC Military Leaders Visit Goma Amidst Ongoing Clashes
Senior military officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday amid the ongoing conflict between government forces and M23 rebels. The meeting occurred in the city of Goma, the capital of the embattled North Kivu province.
The chiefs of defense staff from SADC countries aimed to assess the progress of operations on the ground and refine strategies to strengthen them, according to General Sylvain Ekenge, the spokesperson for the Congolese army. The visit by the chiefs of staff was seen as a strong signal of commitment and determination from SADC and Burundi to support the DRC. This meeting marked their first coordination since the deployment of SADC troops in North Kivu, occurring just two days after SADC armored vehicles were targeted in an attack by M23 rebels.
During the visit to the strategic town of Saké, the rebels launched an attack, throwing five bombs that resulted in casualties. The presence of the chiefs of staff was acknowledged by some members of Goma’s civil society, who believed it provided them with a better understanding of the on-the-ground reality of insecurity.
However, opinions among Goma residents were divided, with some expressing skepticism about the impact of the visit on the ongoing conflict. Muisa Christian emphasized that the future of Congo’s security should be driven by internal strategies provided by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) rather than external intervention from SADC countries.
The M23 rebels, allegedly linked to Rwanda, initiated an offensive in 2021, capturing significant portions of North Kivu province and displacing numerous residents. The situation has raised concerns among aid organizations, anticipating a potential humanitarian crisis as the rebels’ advance threatens to isolate Goma city, leaving millions in need of essential supplies like food and medical assistance.
The eastern region of the DRC has been grappling with violence from both local and foreign armed groups for nearly three decades, underscoring the longstanding and complex challenges faced by the area.
