The extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has strongly condemned the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The summit, attended by Heads of State and Governments in Harare, Zimbabwe on Friday, described the attacks in the DRC as a violation of the ceasefire agreement brokered under the Luanda Process.
It expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis and the worsening security situation in the region. The summit was conveneved under the chairmanship of Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
SADC leaders called for an immediate joint summit between SADC and the East African Community (EAC) to coordinate efforts to restore peace in the DRC.
“Summit expressed its deepest condolences to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republics of Malawi and South Africa, and the United Republic of Tanzania for the soldiers who lost their lives during the recent attacks in Sake, eastern DRC, while serving under the SAMIDRC, and wished those injured a speedy recovery,” read the communiqué.
The summit was called in response to the escalating violence in eastern DRC, particularly attacks by the M23 armed group, purportedly supported by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) on Congolese government forces, the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), and civilians in North Kivu province.
The summit leaders acknowledged that despite previous diplomatic interventions, peace in eastern DRC remains elusive.
They called for immediate action to protect civilians and restore the provision of essential services such as electricity, water and food supply chains which have been disrupted by the fighting.
In an effort to de-escalate tensions, SADC leaders called for a coordinated diplomatic approach, endorsing the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes led by Angolan president João Lourenço and former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, respectively.
The summit also mandated the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to engage all parties to the conflict in ceasefire negotiations.
“Summit reaffirmed its solidarity and unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as sustainable peace, security and development,” the document read.
SADC leaders also praised Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan for her leadership in spearheading regional peace efforts, and commended the Republic of Madagascar for pledging medical support for those affected by the conflict. The summit was attended by several Heads of State and Governments, as well as their representatives, including Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC, Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, Daniel Francisco Chapo of Mozambique, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane of Lesotho and Thulisile Dladla of Eswatini.
Ambassador Téte António of Angola and Malawi’s minister of foreign affairs Nancy Gladys Tembo also attended the summit. Namibia was represented by defence minister Frans Kapofi.
President Nangolo Mbumba, echoing the summit’s resolutions, warned of the conflict’s potential to destabilise the broader SADC region, if not urgently addressed.
“The current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is of great concern to us. This conflict has the potential to spill over into a regional conflict,” he said.
Mbumba’s appeal for diplomatic dialogue aligns with Namibia’s long-standing policy of peaceful dispute resolution.
“Namibia remains deeply concerned about the wars, conflicts and unrests in, among others, Sudan, Mozambique, DRC, Palestine and Ukraine. Namibia will continue to advocate dialogue to bring warring parties to the negotiating table, thereby giving sustainable peace and stability a chance,” he added.
-ljason@nepc.com