SADC forces withdrawal and M23 advance heighten DRC crisis-Analyst

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SADC forces withdrawal and M23 advance heighten DRC crisis-Analyst  Around 1,300 SADC soldiers are set to leave the country as the M23, backed by Rwanda, continues its advance. Despite diplomatic sanctions, Kigali remains steadfast, defending its sovereignty.   READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/03/14/sadc-forces-withdrawal-and-m23-advance-heighten-drc-crisis-analyst  Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.    Africanews is available in English and French.  Website : www.africanews.com  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/  Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews

Transcript

00:00Around 1300, Southern Africa development community SADC soldiers are preparing to leave Congolese

00:06soil as the M23 backed by Rwanda advances.

00:10Despite some diplomatic sanctions, Kigali remains firm, claiming it is defending its

00:14sovereignty.

00:15According to Congolese analyst Christian Moleka, this approach lays the groundwork for instability

00:20in the fragile and mineral-rich East.

00:21The complexity of the Congolese issue is that the stakeholders have always engaged in a

00:26balancing act, a form of tightrope walking, where one point is given to Kinshasa and another

00:32point is given to Kigali.

00:34This balanced approach is unfavorable to Kinshasa, while pressure, the necessary diplomatic action,

00:40the first sanctions and clear accusation against Rwanda were directed at Kinshasa.

00:45Rwanda also receives some small points that balance both parties.

00:49This position unfortunately will not fundamentally resolve the problem.

00:53It may calm things down today, but at some point, the international community must acknowledge

00:58that there is an aggressor and a victim.

01:00The Congolese security apparatus have always hinted at lack of finances and resources.

01:06During their capture of Goma and Bukavu, the M23 succeeded in recruiting dozens of soldiers.

01:11One also fled the national front.

01:14Important reforms need to be made in the security apparatus.

01:16There need to be internal cohesion, a return to calm within the country, and this will

01:20depend on the president's ability to manoeuvre, to have the political levers to build true

01:24internal cohesion, reduce the sources of internal conflict, and implement the necessary reforms,

01:29especially in military command, to have a capable army.

01:32Kinshasa still has strong reservations about participating in direct negotiations with

01:36the M23 under the auspices of Rwanda.

01:39For Christian Maleka, the DRC is forced to accept the dialogue.

01:43At worst, the government could try to delay the deadline by claiming the M23 is raising

01:47its demands.

01:49But Kinshasa has very little room to manoeuvre in not going to Rwanda.

01:52International diplomatic pressure are also on Kinshasa to open up the possibilities for

01:56direct negotiations.

01:57We saw it in Resolution 2773 at the African Union and at the joint ESC-SADC summit, which

02:03calls for direct negotiations.

02:05There is also an underlying reality.

02:07The M23 in South Kivu continues to advance.

02:09Yesterday it was reported that this island of Idjwi had been reclaimed by the M23.

02:15And so the fear is that the fighting will spread towards Kindu, Manima, Shopo Kisangani

02:20or Katanga.

02:21This risk of fighting spreading is also weighing on Kinshasa.

02:24Meanwhile, the security and humanitarian situation remains tense in several cities in North Kivu.

02:30The M23 is still being seen advancing in several villages in the region.

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