Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered the military to begin preparing to withdraw from their peacekeeping mission in the volatile eastern Democratic of Congo. The Malawian troops are part of the southern African regional bloc's military mission (SAMIDRC) deployed to DR Congo to help tackle armed groups.

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 troops were part of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission deployed in 2023 to help the Kinshasa government quell unrest in the mineral-rich eastern region.

President Lazarus Chakwera made the announcement , saying this would support efforts for a ceasefire and peace talks. This comes amidst the ongoing eastern DR Congo conflict. Malawian troops are in DR Congo as part of a military force sent by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to help the Congolese government fight armed groups.