Zimbabwe begins DRC troop pull-out

The number of foreign troops in DRCongo is unknown

By BBC's East African correspondent Ishbel Matheson

Zimbabwe has said it will begin to withdraw its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo with effect from today (Monday).

The United Nations says a battalion of around 600 soldiers are expected to be pulled out of the diamond rich area of Mbuji-Mayi in Eastern Kasai.

Troops out just before presidential elections

A UN spokesman in Kinshasa welcomed the move, but cautioned that the withdrawal would have to be verified.

Zimbabwean soldiers have been in the DR Congo, fighting alongside the former president Laurent Kabila since war broke out in 1998, but their presence has been controversial and surrounded by secrecy.

It is not clear how many troops are in the country and senior Zimbabwean officers have been accused of profiting from diamond deals.

Tactical move

President Robert Mugabe insists his goal is to help the Kinshasa government defend itself from neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda, but the pull out of these troops is significant.

With only weeks to go before a difficult presidential election, some are suggesting that Mr Mugabe wants more military back-up at home.

There may also be another tactical reason. Critical negotiations on DR Congo's future are due to begin shortly in South Africa.

Zimbabwe can now claim that it is adhering to the troubled Lusaka peace accord signed two years ago.

It is also in a stronger position to blame others for holding up the stalled peace process.