They will replace the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade in the DRC for 25 years as well as a recent East African Community deployment.

In 2023, the escalating conflict between the Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC) or Congolese military and rebel groups displaced over 6.38 million people in the eastern provinces of the DRC.

[7] The resurgent M23 rebel movement seized swathes of territory, and neither the United Nations peacekeeping mission nor the East African regional force could help the FARDC stop their advance.

[8] In December 2023, Congo said SADC troops were mandated "to support the Congolese army in fighting and eradicating the M23 and other armed groups that continue to disrupt peace and security.

"[9] Troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi started deploying in Sake and surrounding areas near Goma in December 2023.