The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially declared the termination of its troop deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and initiated a phased withdrawal process. The decision was reached during an extraordinary virtual summit of Heads of State and Government held yesterday.
SADC Chairperson, Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, assured that despite the withdrawal, member states remain dedicated to supporting the DRC in preserving its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He emphasized that the regional bloc would continue working towards lasting peace, security, and development in the conflict-affected nation.
Dr. Mnangagwa reiterated SADC’s commitment to ensuring stability in eastern DRC through diplomatic and strategic interventions. He stressed that these efforts would align with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003, which highlights the necessity of regional cooperation in tackling security challenges.
The withdrawal of troops represents a notable shift in SADC’s approach to the DRC conflict. However, the organization has pledged to remain actively engaged in supporting long-term peace-building efforts in the country.