SADC troops to take out while M23 Rebels earn land

South -African leaders have announced that they will remove their troops from the East Congo Democratic Republic, where they helped the government to fight the rebel forces.

The decision to start a “withdrawal in stages” was taken during a virtual summit of the Africa development community (SADC) on Thursday.

The troops were sent two years ago to support the Congolese army in the M23 fight supported by Rwanda.

But at least 19 soldiers in South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania were killed when M23 captured the key city of Goma in January.

SADC leaders said that although the troops will be removed from Dr. Congo, the block will continue to “support the interventions aimed at bringing a sustainable peace.”

The M23 continued to gain land in the east Dr. Congo, and last month he confiscated the second largest city in the region, Bukavu.