Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has initiated the process for withdrawing Malawian forces from their role in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These troops were part of the SAMIDRC initiative aimed at combating armed groups in the region.
The decision follows a tragic event where at least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 from South Africa and three from Malawi, lost their lives during the M23 rebels’ takeover of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, last week. Despite ongoing hostilities, President Chakwera announced this withdrawal to “honour the declaration of a ceasefire by the parties,” hoping to facilitate negotiations for a durable peace.
This announcement was made in a statement aired on state television, with Chakwera emphasizing that the troop withdrawal would “pave the way for their planned negotiations towards a lasting peace.” Malawi’s Information Minister, Moses Kunkuyu, during an appearance on the BBC Newsday programme, explained that the move was made in “good faith,” following a resolution from a recent SADC leaders’ meeting in Tanzania, which called for a ceasefire to enable peace talks.
Kunkuyu clarified, “It is pursuant to that agreement that the president of Malawi has seen it fit to contribute to the peace-building effort by withdrawing troops from the region so that there is that peaceful negotiation.” Though no exact withdrawal date was specified, logistical and operational details are being coordinated with the DRC president and the SADC.
The M23 rebels, with support from Rwanda, announced a unilateral ceasefire for humanitarian reasons on Monday, but clashes have not ceased, with reports indicating the capture of Nyabibwe, a mining town in South Kivu. This escalation has intensified calls for Malawi’s military retreat, especially after the loss of peacekeepers.
In contrast, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed to maintaining his nation’s presence in the DRC, bound by the operational terms of the SAMIDRC mission, which was renewed until the end of this year. The mission, authorized by SADC, involves 5,000 troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, with South Africa leading with 2,900 soldiers.
This weekend, SADC leaders, alongside East African heads of state, are scheduled to convene in Tanzania to discuss the ongoing crisis in the DRC, with both President Félix Tshisekedi of DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda expected to participate.
The M23’s activities have not only led to territorial gains like Goma but also to the appointment of rebel officials in administrative roles in North Kivu. The violence has had a devastating impact, with the UN reporting nearly 3,000 deaths during the campaign for Goma, raising concerns about potential outbreaks of diseases such as Mpox and cholera.
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