In response to the escalating crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held an extraordinary summit of heads of state and government in Harare, Zimbabwe, today.
Chaired by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the summit aimed to strengthen regional efforts to address the ongoing security and humanitarian challenges in the DRC.
The meeting comes amidst a surge in violence in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group, which Kinshasa alleges is backed by Rwanda, has intensified its offensive. Heads of state in attendance, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, and Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko, will discuss measures to support the DRC in restoring stability and assisting the large number of internally displaced persons.
A key focus of the summit is to enhance regional coordination for sustainable peace in the conflict-affected areas. Participants will review an interim security report and explore avenues for greater collaboration, particularly through the SAMIDRC mission, SADC’s military support initiative for the Congolese forces.
This summit follows a series of regional and international initiatives aimed at de-escalating the crisis. The East African Community (EAC) recently called for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue among the warring parties. However, tensions remain high, with diplomatic tensions escalating between Rwanda and South Africa and growing international pressure on Kigali.
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, who has accused Rwanda of direct military intervention in the DRC, is seeking concrete support from SADC partners. His recent military appointments and calls for national mobilization underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for regional action.
The outcome of this extraordinary summit will have significant implications for the future of peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
AC/sf/lb/abj/APA