Loide Jason

Linea Dishena

Analysts have urged leaders of the regional political bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to do all they can to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The ongoing crisis is set to dominate discussions at the SADC summit of Heads of State in Harare tomorrow. 

The summit is set to review the security situation in the region, with a focus on the DRC. As tensions escalate in the eastern parts of that country, regional leaders are under pressure to devise effective strategies to bring stability to the war-torn country. 

Eastern DRC has been embroiled in conflict following significant territorial gains by the M23 rebels. 

Gunfire erupted across parts of Goma, a city with over two million residents, over the weekend, and reports suggest clashes occurred between DRC and Rwandan troops along their shared border on Monday. 

International relations’ executive director Penda Naanda reaffirmed the country’s position on peaceful conflict resolution. 

 He pointed out that Namibia had previously proposed a quadripartite mechanism involving the African Union (AU), the Great Lakes Region, SADC and the East African Community to facilitate dialogue between the DRC and Rwanda. 

“Our position has been and will always be that parties to conflicts should try by all means to resolve their disputes through peaceful means, as stipulated in our constitution,” Naanda said. 

He added that Namibia played a significant role in advocating for the quadripartite mechanism. This initiative, which met in Rwanda last year, called for the AU to lead peace efforts. 

Despite its active involvement in diplomatic efforts, Namibia has not deployed troops to the DRC as part of peacekeeping or military operations. 

“At this moment, Namibia has not deployed any troops. The countries which currently have troops in eastern DRC under the SADC mission are South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi,” Naanda clarified. 

While Namibia has not ruled out future military involvement, he stated that any decision regarding troop deployment would be made at the presidential or ministry of defence level. 

“We haven’t come to that stage yet,” he noted. 

The executive director said the ongoing instability in the DRC has implications for Namibia’s regional security and economic interests. 

Although the conflict is primarily concentrated in the eastern parts of the DRC, recent unrest in Kinshasa raised concern. 

“Our business community is engaged in trade with the DRC. We have truck drivers transporting goods there, and Namibian nationals living and working in the DRC. If the security situation deteriorates further, it could impact trade and economic activities,” he warned. 

While Namibia’s trade relations with the DRC remain unaffected for now, continued instability could disrupt business operations and logistics. 

On the issue of refugees, Naanda confirmed that Namibia has historically provided asylum to those fleeing conflict, and continues to host Congolese refugees at the Osire Refugee Camp. 

Namibia maintains open communication with the Congolese government through its embassies in Kinshasa and Brazzaville. 

“The SADC Heads of State summit scheduled for tomorrow in Harare will address the situation, and Namibia participated in the AU Peace and Security Council meeting earlier this week,” Naanda disclosed. 

Defence minister Frans Kapofi has been delegated by President Nangolo Mbumba to attend the summit. Kapofi said Namibia is committed to peace, maintaining that military intervention was not on the table for now. 

“Namibia is closely monitoring the situation, and any decision regarding military support would have to be made at the highest level,” he stated. 

Diplomacy 

International relations’ specialist Charles Mubita said while Namibia’s foreign policy is anchored on non-interference, there still remains a need to act out against the inhumane treatment of citizens in the central African country. 

He reasoned that SADC must take the lead in facilitating a round-table dialogue, which includes all stakeholders for a lasting solution to the crisis. 

Mubita raised concern about external influence in the conflict, stressing that foreign actors benefiting from the DRC’s mineral wealth often complicate peace efforts. 

“We cannot ignore the fact that external players have vested interests in the DRC’s resources. For peace to be sustainable, African nations must take ownership of the mediation process and ensure regional solutions,” he stressed. 

He, however, highlighted financial constraints hindering SADC’s ability to deploy a military force, noting that much of the funding for regional interventions comes from external sources. 

Meanwhile, opposition leader McHenry Venaani has called for a cessation of hostilities and direct engagement with Rwandan president Paul Kagame, whom he accuses of backing the M23 rebel movement. 

“SADC must come out strongly. President Kagame should not play hide and seek. He has been backing the M23 rebels for years, and this must stop. Likewise, president Félix Tshisekedi must take ownership of his citizens, and stop the displacement of Tutsis in the DRC. 

If Tshisekedi wants peace in the DRC, he must start by treating all Congolese equally. The displacement and persecution of Tutsis in the DRC is unacceptable. This mistreatment is fuelling the rebellion,” the seasoned politician said. 

Venaani proposed that the DRC government should introduce a clear integration plan to ensure Tutsis are fully included in Congolese society. 

He also stressed that the demilitarisation of the M23 rebels should not happen in isolation, but rather as part of a broader strategy that includes political recognition and socio-economic integration. 

“SADC leaders must act with speed to end this crisis.We have already seen South African soldiers die in this conflict. When SADC engages in dialogue, they must do so with real intent, not sugarcoating the issue.” 

Payments 

Meanwhile, international relations’ minister Peya Mushelenga confirmed that while Namibia has not deployed troops to the DRC conflict, the country has met its financial commitments to help address the crisis. 

Responding to questions earlier this week, he said Namibia was assessed to contribute to the budget of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), deployed in December 2023 to restore peace and security in eastern DRC. 

Namibia’s assessed contribution towards SAMIDRC is N$89.78 million (US$4 million) as per the assessment approved during the November 2023 Extraordinary SADC summit in Luanda. 

“Despite our support through SADC for a military intervention, Namibia firmly believes that only a diplomatic solution can fully address the current situation,” the minister said. 

Mushelenga indicated that as a member of the AU Peace and Security Council, Namibia actively participates in decision-making on continental conflicts, including the DRC crisis. 

Namibia is scheduled to participate in the deliberation contributing to the efforts aimed at finding peace in eastern DRC on Wednesday. 

The minister emphasised Namibia’s commitment to international cooperation, peace and security, citing past involvement in UN peacekeeping missions in Cambodia, Liberia, Sudan and South Sudan. 

In Mozambique, Namibia equally fulfilled its financial obligation, and had sent 18 staff officers to the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) deployed in July 2021, noting that the mission had ended, and all the staff officers returned. 

“Namibia also contributes annually to the UN peacekeeping budget,” he continued. 

-ljason@nepc.com.na 

-Nampa