President Cyril Ramaphosa said the withdrawal of Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is not a sign of defeat, but rather a chance to make peace. The decision to withdraw follows a virtual meeting with heads of state which was held on Thursday. It also comes three months after 14 South African National Defence Force members were killed in the east of the country, during clashes with M23 rebels.
The troops were sent to the country two years ago, as part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“It should be seen as a confidence building measure, to consolidate the ceasefire. One of the other issues that’ll consolidate that, is the commencement of negotiations and talks, between state actors, as well as non-state actors.We see this as one of those initiatives or interventions that are going to make sure that there is peace in the eastern DRC,” said Ramaphosa.
There’s been calls for government to withdraw the troops from the DRC, following accusations that they’re ill-equipped and lacked proper training for such a mission.
“The exit or the withdrawal, is going to be a phased withdrawal from the DRC. It’ll take into account the existing conditions as they evolve on the ground. Yes, the situation is precarious, but the peace as it is now, is holding and we hoping to consolidate that as the withdrawal process moves on,” explained Ramaphosa.
In addition, Ramaphosa said the African Union is seized with the situation in the DRC, will continue to examine precisely how it should evolve. He emphasized that SADC and the East African Community, want a ceasefire and peace as soon as possible. Meanwhile, in a communique released by SADC, the regional body said there’ll be a “phased withdrawal of the troops from the DRC.”
