SADC calls for urgent dialogue to restore peace in DRC

DAR ES SALAAM – THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Friday called for dialogue to restore peace and security in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the escalating attacks by the M23 rebels.

According to SADC communique released after the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Governments, political and diplomatic leaders who are parties to the conflict have been urged to engage in a coordinated effort of dialogue, including supporting the Luanda process, United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) and others, to restore peace and security in the area.

The bloc’s Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government was held to discuss the situation in the DRC.

The Heads of States and governments also reiterated their support to the diplomaticefforts to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Eastern DRC through the Luanda Process, led by Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa and the Nairobi Process, led by former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta.

They also called for an immediate joint Summit of SADC and East African Community (EAC) to deliberate on the way forward regarding the security situation in the DRC as proposed by the 24th Extraordinary Summit of Headsof State of the EAC held on 29th January 2025.

The Summit received the latest reports on the unfolding security situation in the Eastern part of the DRC and noted with concern the recent attacks by the M23 armed group and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) on the Government Forces of DRC, the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) and the civilian population in various areas of North Kivu.

The bloc expressed concern that the recent attacks continued to worsen the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC, said the communique issued at the end of the SADC Heads of State and Government summit held in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

It condemned the M23’s attacks on the SADC Mission in the DRC, saying such actions violated the ceasefire that was brokered through the Luanda Process on July 30, 2024 and undermined peace and security of the DRC and the SADC region.

The regional body called for immediate restoration of essential utilities such as water, electricity, means of communication and supply lines for food and other essential commodities in the war-torn region.

The summit also recalled its decision of May 2023 to deploy peacekeeping mission to the DRC in order to support its desire for peace and security and defend its territorial integrity.

In this regard, the Summit noted that these objectives have not yet been realised. Moreover, the Summit called for the immediate dispatch of ministers for defence, chiefs of defence and Troop Contributing Countries to DRC to ensure that the SAMIDRC troops are safe and facilitate immediate repatriation of deceased troops and those who are injured.

The Summit has mandated the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to engage all state and non-state parties to the conflict on a ceasefire process to protect lives and facilitate a smooth flow of humanitarian support to people and communities affected by the armed conflict.

Moreover, the summit has 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.

They also recalled the decision of May 2023 to deploy peacekeeping mission to the DRC in order to support its desire for peace and security and defend its territorial integrity.

In his closing remarks, SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa called for lasting peace in the DRC and for all parties to the conflict to embrace dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms.

“It is the individual and collective duty of all member states, to do much more towards permanently silencing the guns if we are to succeed in achieving these aspirations,” Mnangagwa said.

The summit was attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), President Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), President Duma Boko (Botswana), President Félix Tshisekedi (DRC), President Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), President Daniel Chapo (Mozambique) President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa).

Others were President Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Prime Minister Samuel Matekane (Lesotho), the Deputy Prime Minister, Thulisile Dladla (Eswatini) Minister for External Relations, Ambassador Téte António (Angola), Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo (Malawi) and Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Ms Frans Kapofi (Namibia).