African leaders have announced the withdrawal of thousands of troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, who were sent to fight insurgents in mineral-rich eastern Congo, where M23 rebels have killed peacekeepers while overrunning the region this year.

Gaza’s children were barred from schooling as schools in the Palestinian enclave were either destroyed or turned into shelters for displaced families. Since the Israel-Hamas war started, hundreds of thousands of school-aged children have lost at least one academic year.

African leaders announced a phased military withdrawal from eastern Congo, involving troops from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi, deployed against insurgencies by M23 rebels. The decision follows increasing opposition and the deaths of peacekeepers.

To address global instability and insecurity, we have decided to launch a dedicated EU-South Africa, peace, security and defense dialog,’ says European Council president - Anadolu Ajansı

The troops were sent two years ago to support the Congolese army fight the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, which has seized control of large parts of mineral-rich eastern DR Congo this year. At least 19 soldiers from South Africa,