Sandu welcomes peace agreement after SANDF troops confined to bases for 63 days

THE South African National Defence Union (SANDU) said it noted with cautious optimism the peace agreement reached with among others, the M23 group, includes provisions for the demobilisation and surrender of SANDF troops who have been surrounded and confined to their bases for the past 63 days.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

The M23 armed group agreed a deal on Friday with the Southern African Development Community on the evacuation of SADC force from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The 16-nation SADC, the regional bloc for southern Africa, decided to end the deployment earlier this month at a summit focused on the escalating violence.

SANDU said the agreement also includes the return of SANDF equipment to South Africa.

"There remains a significant gap between the signing of an agreement and its full execution.

SANDU hopes and trusts that a genuine measure of goodwill exists on all sides to ensure the safe return of our SANDF members."

SANDU expressed gratitude for the efforts of South Africa's delegation that participated in the talks.