This is a move that has sparked mixed reactions from both local citizens and government officials.  

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the decision, stating that the next steps towards peace in the DRC will be led by Angolan President João Lourenço, the current Chairperson of the African Union .

However, the withdrawal has raised serious concerns about the future of the DRC’s security. Speaking from Goma, a city in the eastern region under the control of the M23 rebel group, local journalist and human rights activist Espoir Ngalukiye voiced his doubts about the effectiveness of the peacekeeping mission. Ngalukiye, who has witnessed the ongoing violence firsthand, expressed that the presence of SADC forces had not led to any significant improvements in security.

“The SADC mission has failed,” he stated, pointing to the ongoing control of Goma by the M23 despite the peacekeepers’ presence. Ngalukiye further emphasized that the local population in Goma had lost hope in foreign interventions. “The people have lost hope not only in SADC but also in the United Nations and other foreign military forces. They need to rely on their own army, not foreign troops or mercenaries.”

This sentiment is echoed by many who feel that the withdrawal could leave the region vulnerable to further instability. Goma, a key city in North Kivu, has suffered under the grip of armed groups for years, with the SADC mission’s efforts to restore peace remaining largely ineffective.

With the peacekeeping forces now retreating, the question remains; can the Congolese government step up to the challenge of securing the region on its own? Ngalukiye suggests that the real solution lies in political dialogue and improved governance, noting that the DRC's internal problems, including poor leadership and impunity, must be addressed for any meaningful progress to occur.

--ChannelAfrica--