HARARE, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Thursday announced the termination of the mandate of its regional peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In a communique issued at the end of a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, the regional bloc directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) troops from the country.

According to the communique, the summit reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic solution with all parties, including state, non-state parties, military and non-military in the eastern DRC, to restore peace, security, and tranquility.

The SADC deployed its peacekeeping mission in December 2023, with the mandate extended by one year in November last year amid ongoing hostilities in the country's eastern region.

In January, several peacekeepers deployed by SAMIDRC and the United Nations were killed during the clashes between the DRC government forces and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.

The communique noted that the SADC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as sustainable peace, security and development.

Noting the increasing humanitarian needs in the DRC, the summit called on the international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of the DRC. Enditem

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