The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has begun withdrawing its military forces from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the start of a phased exit of regional troops deployed to help stabilise the conflict-hit region.
The SADC Secretariat said in a statement on Friday that the withdrawal commenced on 29 April and is being carried out by road through Rwanda, with troops returning to their home countries – Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania – the original contributors to the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
“This action is in accordance with the directive of the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held on 13 March 2025, which announced the termination of the SAMIDRC mandate and endorsed the phased withdrawal of the Mission,” the regional body said.
Further support for the decision was provided during a high-level engagement in Goma on 28 March when the Chiefs of Defence from the Troop Contributing Countries met with leaders of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Movement of 23 March (AFC/M23), one of the key armed groups operating in eastern DRC.
SAMIDRC was originally deployed in December 2023 as part of a regional effort to bolster security and counter armed group activity in the eastern provinces of the DRC where fighting has displaced thousands and fuelled a humanitarian crisis.
SADC announced its continued commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
The regional bloc said it would remain engaged in diplomatic and political initiatives aimed at finding a lasting resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC.
JN/APA