MALAWI ORDERS TROOPS TO PREPARE WITHDRAWAL FROM EASTERN CONGO

Wed 05 February 2025:

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered defense forces to begin preparations for a withdrawal of its troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a statement said on Wednesday.

The Malawi troops are part of a contingent of soldiers from the Southern African regional bloc deployed in Congo to help it tackle armed insurgents. The bloc extended the military mission late last year.

“President Chakwera has ordered the MDF (Malawi Defense Force) commander to begin preparations for the withdrawal of Malawian troops… to honour the declaration of a ceasefire by the warring parties there and to pave way for their planned negotiations towards a lasting peace,” the statement said.

A rebel alliance, which includes M23 fighters, has declared a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons starting on Tuesday.

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Rebels in Congo capture town

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized control of the town of Nyabibwe in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province, eight sources said on Wednesday – an apparent violation of a unilateral ceasefire they declared this week.

The capture of Nyabibwe, some 70 km (40 miles) north of the provincial capital Bukavu, takes them a step closer to the city they said they had no intention of capturing after their advance southwards appeared to stall late last week.

Eight people, including local officials, a civil society representative, rebels and an international security source, confirmed Nyabibwe had fallen to the rebels.

-Reuters

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