Southern African leaders have decided to withdraw their military forces from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where they’ve been supporting government efforts against rebel fighters.
The “phased withdrawal” decision was reached during a virtual summit of the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (Sadc) on Thursday.
The troops were deployed two years ago to assist the Congolese army in its battle against the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. However, the mission suffered a significant setback when at least 19 soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania were killed as M23 forces captured the strategic city of Goma in January.
Despite the troop withdrawal, Sadc leaders affirmed their commitment to “support interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace” in the region. The announcement did not specify reasons for the withdrawal decision.
The regional bloc emphasized the need for diplomatic and political solutions to resolve the ongoing conflict.
The exact number of Sadc troops currently stationed in DR Congo remains unclear, though initial plans called for a deployment of 5,000 personnel. South Africa, which heads the mission, was expected to contribute 2,900 troops, with Malawi and Tanzania providing the remainder.
This summit marked Sadc’s third emergency meeting focused on DR Congo in recent months, highlighting the escalating crisis.
M23 rebels have continued their territorial expansion in eastern DR Congo, capturing Bukavu, the region’s second-largest city, last month. This advance has raised fears that the situation could potentially develop into a broader regional conflict.
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