Staff Reporter
The Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, which concluded in Harare last Friday, has called for an immediate joint summit with the East African Community (EAC) to address the escalating security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
With nearly a decade of unrest, the eastern regions of the DRC continue to suffer from conflict over power and resources, leading to millions of displaced people and thousands of deaths.
Despite multiple efforts to restore peace, the situation remains volatile, with the recent killing of peacekeepers by M23 rebels drawing international condemnation.
As the humanitarian crisis in Goma worsens, SADC leaders convened in Harare, under the chairmanship of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to map out a collective response.
After hours of closed-door discussions, SADC leaders issued a communiqué outlining urgent measures to address the crisis.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi highlighted key resolutions.
“The Summit reiterated its support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution through the Luanda Process, led by Angola’s President João Lourenço, and the Nairobi Process, led by Kenya’s former President Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said.
It also called for an immediate deployment of defense ministers and chiefs of defense from troop-contributing countries to ensure the safety of SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) troops and facilitate the repatriation of deceased and injured soldiers.
Furthermore, the Summit urged the immediate convening of a joint SADC-EAC summit to determine the way forward, as recommended by the 24th Extraordinary EAC Summit held on January 29th.”
SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa emphasized the urgent need to restore stability in the DRC, stressing that regional peace is vital for Africa’s long-term development.
“The concrete decisions made today will propel ongoing efforts towards finding lasting peace in the DRC. Our collective goal is to strengthen solidarity and achieve a stable, peaceful region.
“The realization of SADC Vision 2050 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 depends on a foundation of political stability, peace, and security. As masters of our own destiny, we remain committed to shaping an Africa that asserts itself on the global stage,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also urged SADC member states to work towards permanently silencing the guns to ensure sustainable peace and development.
“It is the duty of every SADC Member State to do more in ending conflicts permanently. No country or community should be left behind. Bold and decisive measures must be taken to fully equip and support SAMIDRC troops in executing their mandate.
“All parties involved in the conflict must engage in inclusive dialogue and adhere to the Luanda Ceasefire Agreement and the Nairobi Peace Process,” explained President Mnangagwa.
The summit emphasized the need for continued regional collaboration to support the DRC’s long-term peace efforts.
As SADC and the EAC prepare for their joint summit, the region remains committed to finding sustainable solutions to the conflict and ensuring that peace and security prevail in Africa.
