JOHANNESBURG, March 13, 2025 – Southern African nations have officially concluded the mandate of their military mission in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and announced the start of a gradual troop withdrawal, as stated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) after an extraordinary summit.
“The summit has formally ended the mandate of the SAMIDRC and directed the commencement of a gradual troop withdrawal from the DRC,” the organization reported following the virtual meeting of heads of state. This decision comes in light of significant advances made in recent months by the anti-government armed group M23.
Additionally, SADC member countries reaffirmed their “commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its efforts to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
On Thursday, heads of state from Southern Africa gathered for an extraordinary summit to establish an “action plan” concerning the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, just days before peace negotiations among the warring parties are set to begin.
