Eastern and Southern African nations are weighing the deployment of troops to areas of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo under the control of M23 rebels, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have previously called for a ceasefire in the mineral-rich region, where fighting has killed approximately 7,000 people since January, according to Congo’s prime minister.
The document outlines recommendations presented to defense chiefs following a meeting of technical experts in Tanzania on Feb. 23. The defense chiefs are expected to compile a report for discussion over the weekend.
The regional blocs are considering seeking a mandate, along with unspecified African Union (AU) forces, to secure rebel-held areas in North and South Kivu provinces. The document also suggests requesting the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, to bolster its presence in the region.
“This remains a proposal; we have not been formally notified,” an African Union source told the AP, emphasizing that any AU involvement would require approval from its Peace and Security Council.
The M23 rebels, who are backed by Rwanda, have taken control of Goma and Bukavu—the region’s largest cities—and seized their airports, cutting off crucial supply routes for humanitarian aid to displaced populations.
To facilitate humanitarian assistance, repatriate the deceased, and evacuate the injured, the document recommends negotiations with M23 to reopen transport routes and Goma’s airport.
The status of the Southern African mission in Congo, known as SAMIDRC, remains under discussion. The 16-member SADC extended the mission late last year to assist Congo’s military but has suffered losses since the beginning of 2025.
Rwanda has denied allegations that it is arming and providing troops to M23, which is the latest in a series of ethnic Tutsi-led rebel groups to emerge in eastern Congo. Kigali claims it is acting in self-defense against a Hutu militia that it says is fighting alongside the Congolese army.
