The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially announced the termination of its troop deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal. This decision was made during an extraordinary virtual summit of Heads of State and Government held yesterday.
SADC Chairperson, Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, emphasized that despite the withdrawal, member states remain committed to supporting the DRC in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He assured that the region would continue to work towards achieving sustainable peace, security, and development in the country.
Dr. Mnangagwa reaffirmed SADC’s dedication to promoting lasting stability in eastern DRC through diplomatic and strategic interventions. He noted that such efforts would be aligned with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003, which underscores the importance of regional cooperation in addressing security challenges.
The decision to withdraw troops marks a significant shift in SADC’s approach to the DRC conflict. However, the regional bloc maintains that it will remain engaged in supporting the nation’s long-term peace-building efforts.
