The Southern Africa Development Community has announced the Gradual Withdrawal of its special Forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The SADC Heads of State have decided to withdraw their troops from DR Congo territory marking the end to the unsuccessful mission to defeat the coalition of the Congo River Alliance and the March 23 rebels.
The rebel forces have taken over major cities in eastern DRC where the security situation remains tense.
The regional decision to call it quits was contained in a 10-point official communique issued from the recently held, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) extraordinary summit of Heads of State.
The SADC Heads of State said they noted with deep sadness the continued deterioration of the security situation in Eastern DR Congo.
“The Summit terminated the mandate of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) and ordered the start of a phased withdrawal of its troops from the DRC, the continued deterioration of the security situation in eastern DRC, including the capture of Goma and Bukavu, and the blocking of key supply routes, making the delivery of humanitarian aid difficult,” the communique reads.
The SADC Heads of State have since advised the Congolese government in Kinshasa to seek inclusive dialogue to address the current security situation in the east.
“The need for a political and diplomatic solution with all parties, including state and non-state, military and non-military parties, in the east of the DRC, in order to restore peace, security and tranquility in the country.”
But the scheduled peace talks between the rebels and the DR Congo government, that were to be held in Luanda, Angola, have also been shelved indefinitely.