Regional Bloc of South Africa for the withdrawal of DRC troops against the background of M23 Advance | Conflict news

The SADC mission, which has suffered losses this year, will carry out a “gradual withdrawal” of its troops.

The South African Regional Bloc said it would end the deployment of its troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), deciding on a “gradual withdrawal”.

Leaders from the 16-National South African Development Community (SADC)-which has lost at least a dozen soldiers in the eastern DRC from January-July-Medical Summit on Thursday to discuss the ongoing conflict in an area that is visible three decades to the unrest.

The meeting comes a day after Angola announced that the peace talks between the DRC and the M23 rebels supported by Rwanda will start next week.

In a communique released after the summit, the group said the DC mission in the DRC (also known as SamidRC) would be “terminated … and will direct the beginning of a gradual withdrawal of Samidrk's troops”.

M23 has taken over the mineral and variable Eastern DRCs, including the key cities of Goma and Bukavo, in a Lightning -fast Since January.

The Congoan government says at least 7,000 people died Since then.

Until the officials commented on the size of the military deployment, the greater part of Samidk's troops came from South Africa, which was estimated to have sent at least 1,000 soldiers.

South Africa lost 14 soldiers in the Eastern DRC conflict in January. Most were part of the SADC mission, but at least two were located as part of a separate peace to maintain the peace of the United Nations. Elsewhere, three Malawian troops were killed in the deployment of SADC.

The mission was sent to the Eastern DRC in December 2023 to help the government restore peace and security against the background of attacks from armed groups, including M23.

“Timely” meeting

The opening of the summit on Thursday, the chairman of SADC and the President of Zimbabve Emerson Mannganga called for a “more urgency” to end the fighting, which he said caused instability beyond the borders of the DRC.

The inclusive dialogue was essential, he said, adding that the examination of the term in the DRC was “timely”.

Angola's presidential service declared Late on Wednesday, direct conversations between the DRC and the M23 will start next week.

“Following the steps taken by Angol mediation … Delegations from the DRC and M23 will start direct peace talks on March 18 in the city of Luanda,” the statement said.

Angolas President Joao Luurenko earlier met with President of Congoan Felix Tshisey, who had previously refused to participate in a dialogue with the M23, as required by Rwanda. Kinshasa said earlier that he would talk to Kigali, who accuses the M23 in support of the M23.

On Thursday, two sources of the Congoy government told the Reuters news agency that the most recent proposal for Angol's proposal was being considered seriously.

“This is a process that begins. Kinshasa wants to be short, but it can be long and will depend on the head of state decide for the people who will represent the government country, “said one of the sources, saying anonymously.

“Even if there is direct contact with the M23, it will not exclude Kigali's responsibility,” said another source, which also speaks anonymously.

The announced withdrawal of the deployment of SADC, which helped DRC fight rebels, is a potential smaller blow to Tshisekedi, who has been criticized by his work with the latest progress of the M23.

Rwanda Foreign Minister Olivier Ndugingrehe told Reuters on Thursday that the withdrawal is a “good solution that will contribute to peace” in the eastern part of the DRC.

UN experts said Rwanda supported the M23 and supported about 3000-4,000 troops in the Eastern DR in support of the group. Rwanda denies providing the rebels with military assistance.