President Chakwera Orders Preparation for Malawi Troop Withdrawal from DRC

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), has directed MDF Commander Paul Velentino Phiri to begin preparations for the withdrawal of Malawian troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The decision follows a ceasefire declaration by warring parties to facilitate peace negotiations.

According to Al Jazeera, the M23 rebels announced on Monday night that they would implement a unilateral ceasefire starting Tuesday. The group, supported by thousands of Rwandan troops, seized Goma, the main city in eastern DRC, last week.

The United Nations estimates that 900 people were killed, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.

Malawi has been part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in DRC, contributing troops to help stabilize the conflict-ridden region. However, with the ceasefire in place, the withdrawal process is now being considered.