The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has terminated the mandate of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).
This decision was announced at the conclusion of a virtual extraordinary summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government held on today.
During the summit, regional leaders also directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Since its deployment in 2023, the peacekeeping mission had been operating in the DRC with the mandate to support the Congolese army in combating and eradicating the M23 rebel group and other armed factions that continue to undermine peace and security in the region.
The recommendation to withdraw the troops was put forward by the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation.
The regional bloc has emphasized that diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace, including the Nairobi and Luanda Peace Processes, will continue.