African troops from the south plan to leave Goma city in eastern Congo. On March 28, they made a deal with M23 rebels. Military chiefs from both sides put their plans on paper after talking at the Serena Hotel. Leaders from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania met with M23 commanders face to face.
The Southern African Development Community decided to withdraw its forces because it ran into big problems. M23 fighters had taken over Goma and its airport, which meant supply trucks and planes couldn't reach the African peacekeepers. Without food, fuel, and bullets, these troops found themselves stuck.
The signed papers say M23 promised to help SADC soldiers leave safely with all their guns and equipment. However, any weapons belonging to Congo's regular army must stay behind. Both groups agreed to check how badly damaged Goma airport remains. The southern African nations said they would fix up the runways and buildings to ensure planes can land again.
This agreement changes how outside countries handle the fighting in eastern Congo. It raises questions about what happens next with foreign military teams throughout the country. Many world leaders keep asking everyone to stop fighting and start talking instead. Both sides plan to meet again soon, but they haven't picked when or where yet. This meeting was one of the first times M23 rebels sat down directly with regional peacekeepers since heavy battles started again in North Kivu.
The Southern African Development Community decided to withdraw its forces because it ran into big problems. M23 fighters had taken over Goma and its airport, which meant supply trucks and planes couldn't reach the African peacekeepers. Without food, fuel, and bullets, these troops found themselves stuck.
The signed papers say M23 promised to help SADC soldiers leave safely with all their guns and equipment. However, any weapons belonging to Congo's regular army must stay behind. Both groups agreed to check how badly damaged Goma airport remains. The southern African nations said they would fix up the runways and buildings to ensure planes can land again.
This agreement changes how outside countries handle the fighting in eastern Congo. It raises questions about what happens next with foreign military teams throughout the country. Many world leaders keep asking everyone to stop fighting and start talking instead. Both sides plan to meet again soon, but they haven't picked when or where yet. This meeting was one of the first times M23 rebels sat down directly with regional peacekeepers since heavy battles started again in North Kivu.
