Leaders of the Southern African Development Community met virtually Thursday and resolved to withdraw regional troops currently deployed in eastern DRC. The 5000 troops known as South African Development Community Mission were deployed in December 2023 and were drawn from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi. The three countries had been under pressure from their citizens to withdraw the troops after about 20 of them were killed in fighting against M23 rebels, which have also far captured Goma and Bukavu in North Kivu region. The SADCM troops were deployed in December 2023.
SADC Chairman President Mnangagwa said; _“On the basis of well-considered factors and reflections on the initial mandate, this Extraordinary SADC Summit has made the bold decision to withdraw our Mission from the eastern DRC. The withdrawal of SAMIDRC notwithstanding, our august regional body will remain seized with the political and security situation in eastern DRC.”
“We must speed up the implementation of the decisions made during the Joint SADC-EAC meeting. These include the merger of the Luanda and Nairobi Peace Processes, more so that dialogue is a key cog to usher lasting peace to the people of DRC. Our collective pursuit for peace, is the greatest tribute we can accord our heroes and heroines, both living and fallen, who selflessly answered the call of duty. Their sacrifice can never be in vain.”