The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) said on Thursday a summit of regional heads of state had terminated the mandate of its troop deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and decided on a “phased withdrawal”.
“Summit terminated the mandate of SAMIDRC and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the DRC,” Sadc said in a communique after the summit.
A document seen by Reuters in February said the status of the bloc's mission to DRC needed to be discussed with parties to the conflict.
The 16-member bloc deployed its mission in DRC in December 2023 to help the DRC army fight rebel groups. It extended its mandate late last year but the mission has suffered losses in 2025.
Reuters
Sadc to withdraw troops from DRC in phases
The mission has suffered losses in 2025
Image: Thapelo Morebudi
The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) said on Thursday a summit of regional heads of state had terminated the mandate of its troop deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and decided on a “phased withdrawal”.
“Summit terminated the mandate of SAMIDRC and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the DRC,” Sadc said in a communique after the summit.
A document seen by Reuters in February said the status of the bloc's mission to DRC needed to be discussed with parties to the conflict.
The 16-member bloc deployed its mission in DRC in December 2023 to help the DRC army fight rebel groups. It extended its mandate late last year but the mission has suffered losses in 2025.
Reuters
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