The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has once again found itself at the center of regional scrutiny after President Félix Tshisekedi was admonished by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for failing to meet his country’s financial commitments toward the bloc’s peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo.
At the 45th SADC summit, held earlier this month, Tshisekedi’s absence did little to ease tensions. Delegates privately noted that had he attended, the Congolese leader might not have been permitted to address the assembly — a symbolic reprimand that underscored growing frustrations within the bloc.
A Costly Mission, Unpaid Bills The Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) was launched in 2023 following Kinshasa’s urgent appeals for military support against the M23 rebellion and other armed groups destabilizing North Kivu. Thousands of troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania were deployed under the regional mandate.
However, sustaining such a mission has proved expensive. Defense analysts estimate SAMIDRC’s monthly operations cost several million dollars, covering troop allowances, equipment, and logistics in one of the most challenging terrains in Africa. While SADC has shouldered a large part of this burden, member states insist that the host country — in this case the DRC — must play its part.
“Congo’s debt is not just an accounting issue. It speaks to the question of political will and regional solidarity,” said a diplomat from a southern African state. “If Kinshasa doesn’t pay, it undermines the credibility of the mission and weakens morale among the troops risking their lives on Congolese soil.”
SADC’s Patience Wears Thin Tshisekedi’s government has argued that delays stem from competing domestic priorities, citing post-election budget strains and heavy spending on internal development projects. Yet, frustration within SADC is palpable.
Several heads of state pointed out that the DRC , Africa’s second-largest country by area and one of its most resource-rich , has the economic potential to contribute more substantially. “It is unacceptable for the DRC to consistently present itself as unable to meet obligations, while at the same time expecting regional solidarity,” one southern African leader reportedly said during a closed-door session.
The situation recalls earlier episodes where SADC struggled with host countries failing to fully finance joint missions, such as the Regional Cooperation Initiative in Lesotho. For many, it raises a broader question: how sustainable are regional interventions if member states default on their dues?
Implications for Tshisekedi’s Regional Standing For President Tshisekedi, the timing is delicate. Domestically, he faces pressure to secure lasting peace in the east ahead of a new five-year mandate, after winning re-election in December 2023. His appeals for regional and international support have been central to his foreign policy, yet Kinshasa’s perceived failure to shoulder its share of the financial burden risks damaging trust with key allies.
Observers warn that Congo’s standing within SADC could suffer if arrears are not quickly addressed. “The optics are damaging. A president who calls for troops but cannot pay risks losing leverage within the bloc,” said political analyst Jean-Paul Kamanga, based in Lubumbashi.
The Road Ahead As SAMIDRC continues its operations, the pressure is on Kinshasa to demonstrate both financial responsibility and political seriousness. The DRC is expected to negotiate a repayment schedule in the coming weeks, but some insiders worry that without clear guarantees, member states may begin to question the viability of maintaining their troops in eastern Congo.
For SADC, the episode highlights the ongoing struggle of African regional organizations to finance their own peace and security efforts without overreliance on external donors. For the DRC, it underscores a more immediate problem: how to balance domestic political spending with the urgent need to maintain credibility among regional allies.
Unless Kinshasa acts swiftly, President Tshisekedi may find his calls for solidarity drowned out by growing impatience from his peers.
