While Rwanda is scouring diplomatic circles to oppose the political and financial support of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) troops deployed in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the grounds that it would distance the DRC from diplomatic resolutions to this conflict, the African Union has swept aside these arguments by supporting the regional force of Southern Africa. Through its Peace and Security Council, the AU approved the deployment of SADC's Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) in the east of the DRC.

"The Peace and Security Council of the AU (...) approves the deployment of SAMIDRC in the East of the DRC and calls on the AU Commission to mobilize the necessary support for SAMIDRC, including from the AU's Peace Fund Crisis Reserve Facility," can be read in the press release made public on March 9th.

It was also requested in this document that the Commission "accelerate the transfer of equipment donated to the SADC, which is still at the AU's Continental Logistics Base in Douala, Cameroon, to support efforts to ensure effective implementation of SAMIDRC's mandate."

Furthermore, this entity of the African Union expressed itself as "deeply concerned by the resurgence of the March 23 Movement (M23) in the East of the DRC," before "firmly condemning" the human rights violations committed by these negative forces backed by Rwanda. On this matter, the Council recalled "the unshakable commitment of the AU to respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the DRC."

It is fitting to note that the African Union's Peace and Security Council paid tribute, in its communique, "to the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) of SAMIDRC, namely South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, for their commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region."

Rwanda also opposed, before the United Nations Security Council, the support of MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) to the SADC's regional force. At the level of the African Union, its head of diplomacy had indicated that support for the SADC's regional force could only "exacerbate the conflict." "The SAMIDRC, as an offensive force in coalition with these elements, cannot replace a political process that has been blocked by the government of the DRC. Consequently, the African Union is invited not to 'authorize' or fund the SAMIDRC," wrote the Rwandan minister. A Rwandan stance that was disabused after the support given by the pan-African body to this force.

Dido Nsapu