The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially declared the commencement of offensive operations against the M23 rebels.
“The SAMIDRC in cooperation with the Democratic Republic of Congo National Army (FARDC), will conduct operations to neutralise M23 rebels and maintain peace and security in creating a secure environment as well as protect civilians and their properties under imminent threats or attacks,” said SADC in a statement on Sunday night.
“The operations intend to open the supply routes, and ensure that civilians are free from intimidation, displacement, and killings so that communities can run their daily lives without any interference or threats.”
The countries whose forces will take part in the military operation under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), are DRC, South Africa, Burundi, Tanzania and Malawi.
The move came after M23 rebels, who are reportedly backed by Rwanda, attacked a Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Goma, killing 16 civilians.
The attack on the IDP camp has since sparked outrage from the international community .
The U.S. strongly condemned the attack which occured in the neighbourhoods of Lac Vert and Mugunga, near Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu and expressed grave concern about the “recent RDF and M23 expansion in eastern DRC, which has contributed to the displacement of more than 2.5 million people.”
SADC also strongly condemned what it described as “the horrific attacks by M23 rebels” on the camp, which has caused the death of at least 16 civilians and wounded around 30 civilians.”
The SADC said the attacks affected innocent civilians, many of whom were women and children, adding, “The deliberate targeting of innocent civilians is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights laws and principles.”
Rwanda has since denied shelling the refugee camp, saying, “The attempt by the U.S. Department of State in its statement of 4 May 2024, to immediately and without any investigation place blame on Rwanda for the loss of lives in the IDP camps, is unjustified.”
Rwanda further said it would not “shoulder responsibility for the bombing of the IDP camps around Goma, or the security and governance failures of the government of the DRC.”
This is the first time that SADC, which has deployed almost 10,000 soldiers in DRC, is taking an offensive posture since it started deployment on December 15, 2023.
Sources say both DRC and SADC forces have been deploying long-range heavy weaponry around Goma in preparation for a huge offensive on M23 fighters.
Rwanda has in recent days beefed up its military capacity along its border with DRC.
The development marks a significant escalation of the conflict with the potential of dragging regional countries.
SADC said the “attacks by M23 rebels have triggered massive displacement of the population, blocking supply routes to Goma, and worsening the humanitarian situation.”
It added: “Meanwhile, the main roads to Goma, which are crucial for the movement of civilians, goods, and humanitarian aid, have become impassable due to armed groups’ atrocities, further restricting access to essential services and supplies.”
During the operations, SADC observed, “SAMIDRC will comply with human rights aspects as stipulated in the Law of armed conflict and international Human Rights Law, the United Nations Charter, Laws of Armed Conflicts, International Humanitarian Law, and the Laws of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
In 2013, SADC’s Force Intervention Brigade, comprising troops from Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa defeated the M23 rebels operating in DRC.
Tanzanians under former President Jakaya Kikwete provided elite forces and artillery to attack M23’s bases especially in Rumangabo while South Africa under Jacob Zuma supported the military operation with the air force.
Under attack by heavy artillery and South Africa’s warplanes, M23 rebels, including their commander Sultani Makenga, fled their strongholds to Uganda and Rwanda.
The rebels would later return to DRC during the last months of Joseph Kabila’s reign.
In 2021, M23 resumed their offensive operations against DRC forces, sparking a huge influx of Congolese refugees to neighbouring countries.
