Regional block of South Africa to withdraw trunk from DRC in the middle of M23 Advance | News of the conflict
The Sadac mission, which has suffered losses this year, will carry out the “gradual withdrawal” of its troops.
The South African regional block announced that he would conclude the deployment of his troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), deciding on a “gradual withdrawal”.
Leaders from the 16-state southern African developmental community (Sadac)-which has lost at least a dozen soldiers in eastern Drc-u from January since January, have been a virtual summit on Thursday to talk about a liquid conflict in the area that has seen Three decades unrest.
The meeting comes the day after Angola announced that peace negotiations between DrC and M23 Rebel Group will start the M23 supported next week.
In communication published after the summit, the group said that the mission of the DC DC (known as Samidrc) would “abolish … and direct the beginning of the gradual withdrawal of the Samidrc troops”.
M23 seized the reasons for mineral and unstable Eastern DCs, including key cities of Gom and Bukava, UA lightning progress from January.
The Congenian Government says at least 7000 people died Since then.
While the officials did not comment on the size of the military deployment, most of the hulls Samidrc come from South Africa, which is estimated to have sent at least 1,000 soldiers.
In January, South Africa lost 14 soldiers in the Eastern DRC conflict. Most were part of the Sadac mission, but at least two were distributed as part of the separate peace mission of the United Nations. Otherwise, three Malawi troops were also killed in Sadc deployment.
The mission was sent to the Eastern DRC in December 2023. To help the Government restore peace and security in the midst of an attack of armed groups, including M23.
A ‘timely’ meeting
Opening the Summit on Thursday, Sadc President Zimbabvean Emmerson Mnangagwa invited the “greater sense of urgency” to end the fight, which he said had caused instability beyond the borders of DRC.
The inclusive dialogue was crucial, he said, adding that an overview of the mandate in the DRC was “timely”.
Angola’s presidential office announced Late on Wednesday that direct conversations between DRC -AI M23 will start next week.
“The following steps that have taken Angolan mediation … delegation with DRC -AI M23 will begin direct peace negotiations on March 18 in the City of Luanda,” it was said.
President Angolana Joao Lourenco has previously been introduced to Congole President Felix Tshiseception, who has previously refused to participate in a dialogue with the M23, as he sought Rwanda. Kinshasa said earlier that she would talk to Kigali, which she accused of supporting the M23.
On Thursday, two Congolian government sources told Reuters news agency that the last proposal of Angolan was considered seriously.
“This is a process that begins. Kinshas wants to be short, but it could be long, and at the forefront of the state it will be decided on people who will represent the government side,” said one of the sources, speaking anonymously.
“Even if there is direct contact with the M23, this will not exclude the responsibility of Kigali,” said another source, also anonymously speaking.
The announced withdrawal of Sadc, which was assisted by DRC against the rebel groups, is a potential further blow to Tshiseacedi, who faced criticism for his actions with the latest progress of M23.
Foreign Minister Rwanda Olivier Nduhungirehe said on Thursday to Reuters that the withdrawal is “a good decision that will contribute to peace” in the Eastern DRC.
UN experts said Rwanda supports the M23 and maintains about 3000-4000 soldiers in the eastern DrC in favor of the group. Rwanda denies the inspection of rebels with military assistance.
