The M23 rebel group, which seized control of large parts of North and South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, has reached a deal with the southern African regional alliance military forces for their withdrawal — but not without a price.

Under the agreement signed March 28, in the city of Goma, now under M23 control for two months, the rebels will allow the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces to exit the region by air. In exchange, the departing troops had to help repair Goma’s airport, which had been damaged during the recent fighting.

SADC is a regional economic bloc comprising 16 member states: Angola, Botswana, the Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

SADC troops, deployed since December 2023 to support the Congolese army, could not stop the rapid M23 advance, reportedly backed by Rwanda. The rebels first captured Goma in late January, then took Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in mid-February.

Since January, 14 South African soldiers have been killed, including at least two UN peacekeepers. Malawi and Tanzania have also suffered casualties, with three and two soldiers killed, respectively.

Avoiding a public surrender

After losing control of Goma, SADC forces — estimated at around 1,000 troops, though no official numbers have been released — came under tight M23 surveillance. The rebels viewed them as defeated, possibly even as prisoners of war, severely limiting their movement.

In mid-March, leaders from SADC nations agreed to a withdrawal, reportedly under pressure from Rwandan President Paul Kagame. But how that pullout would happen remained in question, especially with SADC forces determined to avoid a humiliating disarmament.

Their concerns weren’t unfounded. In January, European mercenaries hired by the private firm Congo Protection were captured, disarmed, and evacuated through Rwanda. Photos circulated of them in civilian clothes, hands raised, being searched by Rwandan troops — all under the media’s glare.

Determined not to suffer the same fate, SADC troops insisted on retaining their dignity. According to Radio France Internationale, they demanded to leave with their weapons and equipment — and out of the public eye.

Under the new deal, M23 has agreed to “facilitate the immediate withdrawal of SADC troops with their arms and equipment” via airlift. In return, the Southern African force will contribute to repairing Goma’s damaged airport infrastructure, which remains unusable.

“SADC has decided to assist us in restoring the Goma airport so it can reopen as soon as possible, allowing the withdrawal to proceed quickly,” said M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka. The repairs will include clearing landmines and rehabilitating the control tower and runway.