Malawi has directed its military to start preparations for withdrawing troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the M23 armed group has intensified its offensive. The order was issued by President Lazarus Chakwera’s office.
The Malawian troops were deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in 2023 to support the Congolese government in restoring stability in the mineral-rich region.
According to the statement released on Wednesday, Chakwera’s directive is in line with honoring a ceasefire agreement and facilitating upcoming negotiations for long-term peace. However, no specific timeline for the withdrawal was provided.
The SADC force, estimated at 1,300 troops, is primarily led by South Africa, with contributions from Tanzania and Malawi.
Earlier this week, the M23 group declared a unilateral humanitarian ceasefire after capturing the key city of Goma in North Kivu province. Despite this, intense fighting erupted on Wednesday, involving M23 fighters, Rwandan forces, and Congolese troops, with security sources reporting that the mining town of Nyabibwe had fallen to M23.
Regional leaders from the 16-member SADC and the East African Community (EAC) are scheduled to meet on Saturday in an effort to mediate peace between the conflicting parties. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are expected to attend after missing previous discussions.
Additionally, the United Nations Human Rights Council will convene an urgent session on Friday to address the crisis, as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Reports indicate that at least 900 people have lost their lives, with nearly 2,900 others wounded in the escalating violence.
Key Points:
- Malawi orders troop withdrawal from eastern DRC to support ceasefire and peace talks.
- SADC force, led by South Africa, was deployed in 2023 to assist the DRC government.
- M23 declared a ceasefire but continued clashes resulted in further territorial gains.
- Nyabibwe, a strategic mining town, was captured by M23 and Rwandan forces.
- Regional leaders are set to meet in Tanzania to broker a peace agreement.
- The UN Human Rights Council is holding an emergency session on the crisis.
- The conflict has resulted in nearly 900 deaths and thousands of injuries.
