Malawi has directed its military to prepare for withdrawal from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group has intensified its offensive, the office of President Lazarus Chakwera announced.
The Malawian troops were part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission deployed in 2023 to support the DRC government in tackling unrest in the mineral-rich region.
“President Chakwera has ordered the Malawian Defence Force commander to begin preparation for the withdrawal… to honour the declaration of a ceasefire,” his office stated late on Wednesday.
The decision also aligns with planned peace negotiations aimed at securing a lasting resolution to the conflict.
While Malawi has signaled its intention to pull out, the exact timeline for the drawdown remains unclear.
The SADC force, estimated to include around 1,300 troops, is primarily composed of South African soldiers, with additional contributions from Tanzania.
The latest development follows M23’s unilateral declaration of a humanitarian ceasefire on Tuesday, days after capturing the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu. However, heavy fighting resumed early Wednesday, with clashes between M23, its Rwandan allies, and Congolese government forces, according to security and humanitarian sources.
Reports indicate that M23 fighters and Rwandan forces have seized the mining town of Nyabibwe, located about 100 kilometers from Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, and 70 kilometers from the provincial airport.
In response to the escalating crisis, leaders from the 16-member SADC and the eight-nation East African Community (EAC) are set to meet on Saturday in Tanzania to push for peace negotiations.
Both DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are expected to attend after previously missing earlier talks.
The United Nations Human Rights Council is also scheduled to convene an urgent session on Friday to address the situation.
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According to the UN’s humanitarian body, at least 900 people have been killed and 2,880 wounded in the recent Goma clashes, raising concerns of an impending humanitarian disaster in the region.
International observers have warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, with thousands displaced due to the ongoing violence.
The UN and humanitarian organizations have called for urgent intervention to prevent further civilian casualties and displacement.
As the SADC mission reevaluates its role in the volatile region, all eyes will be on the upcoming peace talks to determine whether a viable resolution can be reached to end the prolonged conflict.