Why South Africa’s army is floundering in Congo

The South Africans, along with troops from Malawi and Tanzania, are part of a 5,000-strong force sent by the Southern African Development Community, a 16-country regional bloc, to help restore security to eastern Congo. They are struggling because the rebels know the terrain far better—and have better kit. Rwanda has funnelled surface-to-air missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and GPS-jamming devices to the M23. Some 3,000-4,000 Rwandan troops are reported to have snuck across the border to help the rebels.