It has involved extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including M23 rebel forces.

Maphwanya was addressing journalists at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria on Sunday during the arrival of the second group of SANDF soldiers returning from the DRC. The soldiers were part of the SADC deployment in the volatile eastern region of the country.

The SANDF has suffered significant losses during the mission, with 14 SA soldiers killed in recent clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese government forces around the city of Goma in North Kivu.

“It has been a collective effort from SADC,” said Maphwanya. “At a political and military level, we’ve been meeting more frequently because we were concerned about the safety of our young soldiers. We went to Goma and met with [M23 leader] Makenga. It’s no secret and we reached an understanding that peace in the eastern DRC requires dialogue.”

He confirmed that a decision had been taken to withdraw all foreign troops from the area, a move aimed at creating space for negotiations and a broader peace process to take root in the region.

The withdrawal comes amid growing regional and international pressure to find a political resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC, where millions have been displaced by ongoing violence.

--ChannelAfrica--