He, however, disputed reports that the troops were injured in the conflict with M23 rebels, saying the soldiers are suffering from chronic illnesses.

“I can confirm the soldiers are already here. But get the information from me; these are not injured soldiers, but those with chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure. They have been withdrawn together with their South African and Tanzanian counterparts,” he said.

Phiri also confirmed that the bodies of two other soldiers who were killed in the conflict have since been repatriated home.

But both the commander and Minister of Defence Monica Chang’anamuno did not state whether the withdrawal is part of an order issued by President Lazarus Chakwera.

“MDF was directed to do this. MDF will be in a good position to give you the update,” said Chang’anamuno in a brief response to the press. The troops travelled by road from DRC through Rwanda to Uganda where they were flown to Malawi.

The development comes three weeks after Chakwera directed MDF to start the process of withdrawing Malawian troops from eastern DRC following the declaration of a ceasefire.

Chakwera’s decision was made in response to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika Summit that he attended in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Summit.

In a message circulated via a flyer, the President said the withdrawal is intended to honor the ceasefire and facilitate planned negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace.

Malawi is among the countries in the SADC region called to immediately repatriate its soldiers who were killed and injured in the DRC.

Rebels, led by the M23, seized Goma City, the capital of North Kivu last month before expanding their attacks and capturing Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.

MDF soldiers in DRC.