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SADC Convenes Extraordinary Summit to Address DRC Crisis

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SADC Convenes Extraordinary Summit to Address DRC Crisis

(3 Minutes Read)       

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is hosting an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government today (30th January 2025) in Harare, Zimbabwe, to address the deteriorating security situation in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

 Chaired by His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe and current Chairperson of SADC, the summit underscores the regional bloc’s unwavering commitment to resolving one of Africa’s most protracted and complex conflicts. The eastern DRC, a region rife with armed insurgencies, resource exploitation, and humanitarian crises, remains a critical flashpoint threatening the stability of Southern Africa.

This high-level assembly follows the outcomes of the Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Organ Troika, held on 28th January 2025, which included the DRC and Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC). The preliminary discussions at this meeting highlighted the urgency of a cohesive regional strategy to stabilise the eastern DRC, where militant groups such as the M23 continue to wreak havoc, displacing millions and perpetuating cycles of violence. The SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), comprising troops from member states, has been pivotal in supporting the Congolese government’s efforts to restore order.

Key agenda items for the summit are expected to include the reinforcement of SAMIDRC’s mandate, the mobilisation of additional resources for peacekeeping operations, and the formulation of a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of the conflict. The summit will also likely explore diplomatic channels to engage non-state actors and neighbouring countries, some of whom have been implicated in exacerbating the crisis. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, SADC aims to create a conducive environment for sustainable peace in the DRC.

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The eastern DRC’s security crisis is a multifaceted issue that demands a multifaceted response, and the Harare summit represents a critical step towards achieving this objective. By convening Heads of State and Government, SADC is sending an unequivocal message that regional stability is a shared responsibility and that collective action is the most efficacious means of addressing shared challenges. The summit’s outcomes will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the DRC and the region, underscoring the imperative of sustained engagement and collaboration in the pursuit of enduring peace.