Congo troop deployment extended by Southern African bloc
Southern Africa’s regional bloc on Wednesday extended by a year its troop deployment in Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is helping the government fight rebel groups.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) deployed the mission in Congo, a major producer of metals like cobalt and copper, in December 2023 with a one-year mandate.
“Summit extended the mandate of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo by one year, continuing the regional response to address the prevailing unstable security situation,” the communique said.
Conflict in Congo’s restive east has raged for decades between a myriad of rival armed groups over land and resources.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in the fighting, which has continued despite numerous ceasefires.
