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President Lazarus Chakwera Wednesday, February 5, 2025, ordered the Malawian military to begin preparations for withdrawing from the regional peacekeeping mission in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing the need to support a ceasefire initiative. The announcement came amidst continued fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels, despite calls for peace.
Malawi is part of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) peacekeeping force, the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which was deployed in 2023 to help restore stability in the conflict-ridden region. However, the mission has come under increasing strain following recent escalations, including the capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, by the M23 rebels last week. The attack left at least 20 peacekeepers dead, including three Malawians and 14 South Africans.
President Chakwera’s decision to withdraw troops aligns with a resolution passed during a recent meeting of SADC leaders in Tanzania, held on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Summit. The leaders urged all parties involved in the conflict to observe a ceasefire and pursue diplomatic negotiations. Chakwera framed Malawi’s withdrawal as a contribution to the peace process, stating that it would “pave the way for planned negotiations towards lasting peace.”
Malawi’s Information Minister, Moses Kunkuyu, echoed this sentiment in a press interview, explaining that the move was “made in good faith” and in line with regional efforts to end the violence. However, he did not specify a timeline for the withdrawal, only noting that the operational details were being finalized in consultation with the DRC government and SADC leadership.
Pressure to pull out of the mission had been mounting in Malawi, particularly after the deaths of Malawian soldiers. Similar debates have arisen in South Africa, where President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced calls to bring his troops home. However, Ramaphosa has insisted that South Africa will remain committed to SAMIDRC, stressing that the mission has a clear mandate and operational timeframe.
Despite efforts to broker peace, hostilities persist. The M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, declared a unilateral ceasefire on Monday, citing humanitarian concerns. However, clashes resumed soon after, with the rebel group advancing into the South Kivu province, capturing the mining town of Nyabibwe. Meanwhile, the Congolese government has been mobilizing civilian volunteers to defend major cities, including Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
The presence of foreign peacekeeping forces in the DRC has long been a contentious issue. Apart from the SADC mission, Malawi also has troops serving under the UN peacekeeping force, MONUSCO. The UN has expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation, warning that the conflict could trigger a new wave of displacement and increase the risk of disease outbreaks, including Mpox and cholera.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been closely monitoring the situation. The ICC recently stated that its prosecutors were following developments, particularly the escalation of violence.
Meanwhile, the M23 rebels have consolidated their control over Goma, appointing top officials, including a governor for North Kivu. On Thursday, rebel leader Corneille Nangaa addressed a large crowd at Unity Stadium in Goma, marking a bold display of the group’s hold on the region. Nangaa, who is wanted by a military court in Kinshasa for war crimes and treason, remains a central figure in the rebellion.
SADC leaders are set to hold a special joint summit with East African heads of state in Tanzania on Saturday, February 8, 2025, to discuss the situation in the DRC. The meeting is expected to bring together key players, including DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose government has been accused of supporting the M23 insurgency—an allegation Kigali has repeatedly denied.
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