By Pickson Chipeso
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to support interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The commitment is in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003.
A communique issued Thursday at the end of the SADC Extraordinary Summit held in Harare, Zimbabwe to deliberate on the security situation in DRC announced commencement of the withdrawal of troops from the DRC.
The Summit, chaired by SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa, terminated the mandate of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and directed commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from DRC.
“The Summit received latest updates on security situation in the Eastern part of DRC and considered the report of the SAMIDRC Mandate from the Extraordinary SADEC Organ Troika Summit held on March 6, 2025.
“The Summit noted with grave concern the continued deterioration of the security situation in Eastern DRC, including capturing of Goma and Bukavu, and blockage of the main supply routes making it difficult for humanitarian aid to flow,” reads the communique in part.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera recently ordered the withdrawal of Malawian troops from the Eastern DRC where they were deployed for peacekeeping mission.
