The SADC mission which has undergone losses this year will make a “progressive withdrawal” of its troops.
The regional block of southern Africa said that it will conclude its deployment of troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after having decided on a “progressive withdrawal”.
The leaders of the Development Community of Southern Africa in 16 countries (SADC) – which has lost at least a dozen soldiers in the eastern DRC since January – organized a virtual summit on Thursday to discuss the ongoing conflict in an area that experienced three decades of trouble.
The meeting occurs one day after Angola announced that the peace talks between the DRC and the Rebel M23 group supported by Rwanda would begin next week.
In a press release released after the summit, the group said that DC’s mission in the DRC (also known as Samidrc) would be “dismissed … and directed the start of a gradual withdrawal of Samidrc troops”.
M23 has seized bands of eastern DRC rich in minerals and volatiles, including the key cities of Goma and Bukavu, in a lightning advance since January.
The Congolese government says that at least 7,000 people have died since then.
While the officials did not comment on the size of the military deployment, the majority of Samidrc troops come from South Africa, which would have sent at least 1,000 soldiers.
South Africa lost 14 soldiers in the East DRC conflict in January. Most of them were part of the SADC mission, but at least two were deployed as part of a separate United Nations peacekeeping mission. Elsewhere, three soldiers from Malawi in the deployment of SADC were also killed.
The mission was sent to the DRC eastern in December 2023 to help the government restore peace and security among the attacks of armed groups, including M23.
“Opportunal” meeting
Opening of the Summit on Thursday, the president of the SADC and Zimbabwean president Emperorson Mnangagwa called for a “greater sense of urgency” to end the fighting, which, according to him, caused instability beyond the borders of the DRC.
The inclusive dialogue was essential, he said, adding that an examination of the mandate in the DRC was “timely”.
The presidential office of Angola announced late Wednesday on Wednesday that direct talks between the DRC and the M23 would begin next week.
“Following the measures taken by Angolan mediation … The delegations of the DRC and M23 will begin direct peace talks on March 18 in the city of Luanda,” he said.
The president of Angolan, Joao Lourenco, had previously met Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who had previously refused to engage in dialogue with M23, as required by Rwanda. Kinshasa previously said that he would speak to Kigali, that he accuses of supporting M23.
On Thursday, two sources of the Congolese government told the reuters news agency that the last Angolan proposal was seriously envisaged.
“This is a process that begins. Kinshasa wants it to be short, but it could be long, and it will be up to the Head of State to decide on people who will represent the government side, “said one of the sources, speaking anonymously.
“Even if there is direct contact with M23, that will not exclude Kigali’s responsibility,” said another source, also speaking anonymously.
The announced withdrawal of the deployment of the SADC, which helped the DRC fight against the rebel groups, is a potential blow for Tshisekedi which was criticized for its management of the last advance of M23.
Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe told Reuters on Thursday that withdrawal was “a good decision that will contribute to peace” in the east of the DRC.
UN experts said Rwanda supported M23 and maintained some 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers in the Group DRC. Rwanda denies providing rebels with military assistance.
