by a SADC force(SAMIRDC) composed of South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi. This force was explicitly tasked with supporting the Congolese government against the M23, but limited itself to protecting Goma for several months, unable to prevent the M23 advance. After the capture of Goma, its contingents were confined to their barracks, unable to carry out their mandate. At the SADC summit on 13 March 2025, the regional community withdrew the force. This failure brought into question the ability of regional missions to counter aggression by a state. Figure 2. Composition of the authorized strength of MONUSCO Military Police+member Military Police+member Military Image 2 Member of a peacekeeping unit Source: various United Nations resolutions on the MONUSCO mandate Evolution of the MONUSCO force vs. evolution of internally displaced persons since 1999 Image 3 Deplaced people staff of the monusco The illusion of protection. Peace support missions in the DRC 11