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".

Public opposition to their deployment has surged since 14 South African and three Malawian peacekeepers were killed by M23 rebels in January.

Democratic Republic of Congo is considering sending representatives to peace talks with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group that Angola plans to host next week, two government sources said on Thursday,

The government of Congo will hold peace talks next week in Angola with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group that has captured key areas of Congo’s mineral-rich east, mediator Angola announced Wednesday.

Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will engage in direct negotiations in the coming days to end the conflict in the country’s mineral-rich east, according to the presidency of Angola, which will mediate the talks.