President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to begin preparations for the withdrawal of Malawian troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The decision comes after the warring parties in the DRC declared a ceasefire, paving the way for negotiations towards a lasting peace.

The Malawi troops have been part of a regional peacekeeping mission in the DRC, aimed at tackling armed insurgents.

However, with the ceasefire in place, President Chakwera has deemed it necessary to withdraw the troops to allow for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The M23 rebel alliance, which has been leading the insurgency in the eastern DRC, declared a unilateral ceasefire on Tuesday, citing humanitarian reasons.

The ceasefire has been seen as a positive step towards ending the conflict, which has resulted in significant humanitarian crises and displacement of civilians.

The withdrawal of Malawian troops is expected to be carried out in an orderly manner, with the MDF commander working closely with regional authorities to ensure a smooth transition.

The move has been welcomed by various stakeholders, who see it as a significant step towards achieving peace and stability in the region.