The work of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, chaired by President Hage Geingob, has been called into action as civil unrest mounts in some parts of the region. Tensions have been rising, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with an upsurge of conflict in recent months threatening peace efforts in the regional bloc.

Last week, the DRC authorities expelled neighbouring Rwanda’s envoy over what it said was that country’s backing for the M23 rebels, making fresh inroads in the east of DRC. Recent developments in DRC are expected to be high on the agenda when the SADC organ troika meets in Namibia on a yet-to-be-confirmed date.

The organ, which is managed on a troika basis, is responsible for promoting peace and security in the SADC region. On the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane, President Hage Geingob convened a meeting of the SADC troika to review the progress of SADC decisions in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Republic of Mozambique and DRC.

Outgoing chairperson of the SADC organ and South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa and incoming chairperson of the organ, president Hakainde Hi ch ilema of Zambi a , participated in the meeting. The extraordinary summit in Windhoek will be held for consultations surrounding the conflict in the DRC ahead of the mandate renewal of the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

The decision was taken at the recently held SADC troika meeting on the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of Matekane. The aim of the meeting was to review the progress of SADC decisions in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Republic of Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This is according to the press statement issued by the Namibian Presidency this week. The meeting also discussed the political situation in Mozambique, where the SADC secretariat was tasked with the preparation of an updated report on the SADC mission in that country.

“President Geingob will be undertaking a mission to the Kingdom of Eswatini as the chairperson of organ troika. He will be meeting with King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini,” the Presidency said.

Following the successful conclusion of the 7 October 2022 general elections and the swearing-in of the new prime minister of Lesotho, the leaders of the organ troika expressed satisfaction with the progress in the Kingdom of Lesotho and agreed to accompany the country with ongoing reforms to consolidate democracy and stability.

The troika re solved Ramaphosa would continue with the work of the organ in Lesotho.