The M23 has continued to gain ground in eastern DR Congo and last month seized the region's second-biggest city, Bukavu. South Africa's deployment was heavily criticised by the public and opposition following the killing of its soldiers.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) said on Thursday that a summit of regional heads of state had terminated the mandate of its troop deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo and decided on a "phased withdrawal".

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced an end to the mandate of its military deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and will begin a gradual withdrawal of troops.

The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group cautiously welcomed Thursday the prospect of direct negotiations with the Congolese government to end the conflict in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

DR CONGO: Peace talks between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and M23 rebels will begin on March 18, Angola announced on Wednesday, as it attempts to mediate a long-term ceasefire in the conflict-torn Central African nation.