By Mercy Matonga:
Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Heads of State and Government yesterday agreed to withdraw troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The leaders reached the agreement during an Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government chaired by Sadc President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
At the meeting, they deliberated on the security situation in the DRC.
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Malawi was represented at the summit by Foreign Affairs Minister Nancy Tembo.
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“The summit terminated the Mandate of SAMIDRC [Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo] and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the DRC,” the communique issued at the end of the summit reads.
The communication says the summit has also called for the protection and free movement of civilians who are seeking safety and for all parties to uphold international humanitarian principles, stop attacks on civilians’ infrastructure and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access.
“[The] summit noted the increasing humanitarian needs in the DRC and called on the international community, including the United Nations (UN) and the African Union, to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of the DRC,” it further reads.
The 16-member grouping further agreed that there is a need for dedication to addressing the ongoing conflict in the DRC and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security in the Eastern DRC, in line with the Sadc Mutual Defence Pact of 2003.
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In February this year, President Lazarus Chakwera on ordered Malawi Defence Force Commander General Paul Valentino Phiri to begin preparations for the withdrawal of troops.
Chakwera said the order was one way of honouring the declaration of a cease fire by warring parties there.
He also said it was meant to pave the way for warring parties’ planned negotiations towards lasting peace, a development he hoped would bring stability to the Sadc region.
In January, Malawi lost three soldiers in the DRC in the fight against the March 23, commonly known as M23, rebel group that has been aiming at taking over the strategic city of Goma in Eastern DRC.
According to the UN, at least 900 people have been killed and 2,880 injured in recent fighting in and around Goma, DRCs largest eastern city, after it was seized by rebels.
