The Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was “doomed from the beginning,” according to defense analyst Ricardo Teixeira, who criticized the mission’s planning and execution as South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops continue returning home.
Speaking in an interview, Teixeira, an analyst at Defence Web, argued that the mission was fundamentally flawed due to poor strategic planning, inadequate equipment, and a failure to recognize the mission’s true nature as a peace enforcement operation rather than traditional peacekeeping.
A Mission Set Up to Fail?
The SANDF deployed approximately 5,000 troops as part of the SADC mission to combat armed groups, including the M23 rebels, in the conflict-ridden eastern DRC. However, Teixeira contends that the mission was ill-prepared from the outset.
“The troops went in without air support, artillery, or proper air defense initially,” he said. “They were expected to achieve what 20,000 UN troops couldn’t in a decade, with far fewer resources.”
Despite eventually receiving some artillery and air defense systems, critical air support never materialized, leaving SANDF soldiers vulnerable. In January, M23 rebels seized strategic high ground, leading to a battle where South African troops were caught off-guard and later confined to their bases—an unprecedented setback for the SANDF.
Leadership Failures, Not Soldier Failures
Teixeira emphasized that the blame lies not with the soldiers but with leadership.
“The troops did their best with what they had. They inflicted hundreds of casualties on M23, but they were failed by poor planning and a lack of strategic foresight,” he said.
He criticized the mission’s vague objectives, lack of regional buy-in, and extended deployments without clear exit strategies. Neighboring countries like Angola—which possesses the region’s strongest air force—declined to participate, signaling a lack of confidence in the mission.
Impact on South Africa’s Military Credibility
The mission’s struggles could damage South Africa’s credibility in future peacekeeping operations, Teixeira warned.
“Deterrence relies on both capability and credibility. After 30 years of underinvestment in defense, we’ve lost both,” he said.
He called for a complete overhaul of SANDF leadership, doctrine, and equipment, shifting focus toward irregular warfare rather than outdated conventional strategies.
What’s Next for Returning Troops?
Over 500 SANDF personnel have already returned, with the full withdrawal expected by the end of June. Soldiers will receive 30 days of leave before reintegrating into their units.
Teixeira urged long-term reforms, including a new defense review, increased budget allocation, and modernization efforts to prepare for future missions.
“The SANDF needs a decade to recover from this,” he said. “Without drastic changes, we risk repeating the same mistakes.”
As the last troops return, questions remain over whether South Africa will—or should—participate in similar missions in the future.