JOHANNESBURG - President Ramaphosa says withdrawing troops from the DRC is not defeat. He says it should be seen as a build-up to the peace process.
SADC leaders decided to end its SamiDRC mission in a phased withdrawal.
The inter-governmental organisation announced their decision after an Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State.
READ: Troops to withdraw as SADC calls off peace keeping mission in DRC
Troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania will begin a phased withdrawal after suffering casualties during attacks by M23 rebels.
The call for withdrawal comes after 14 South African soldiers were killed holding off rebels en route to Goma earlier this year.
Ramaphosa says negotiations between key role players will take place this week. He says finding peace and stability in the DRC remains a top priority.