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Online Reporter
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) convened a joint meeting of the Council of Ministers on Friday to assess the worsening security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The meeting set the stage for the joint SADC-EAC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The ministerial session was co-chaired by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers Professor Amon Murwira alongside Dr Musaila Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, who led the EAC delegation.
Speaking at the meeting, Prof Murwira emphasised the need for stronger joint political and diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability in the eastern DRC.
“It is regrettable that the security and humanitarian crisis in Eastern DRC continues to deteriorate despite the noble efforts through the Luanda and the Nairobi processes,” he said.
“It is heartbreaking that around 400 000 people have been displaced in the city of Goma this year alone.”
The crisis in eastern DRC has escalated in recent months, with the ongoing conflict leading to mass displacement, civilian casualties and increased instability in the region.
The SADC and EAC blocs have been working to implement peace initiatives, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes, aimed at facilitating dialogue and ending hostilities.
SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi hailed the joint meeting as a “significant step in the spirit of solidarity and collaboration” between the two regional blocs in their quest for a lasting solution.
The decision to convene the joint summit was made during the Extraordinary SADC Heads of State and Government Summit held on January 31, 2025 in Harare.
That meeting underscored the urgency of addressing the “precarious and fast-evolving” security situation in the DRC and called for immediate joint action.
The joint SADC-EAC Summit of Heads of State and Government is expected to outline a collective approach to the crisis, focusing on sustainable security interventions, humanitarian support and reinforcing diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.
As regional leaders prepare to convene in Dar es Salaam, expectations are high for a unified strategy that can effectively address the ongoing instability in the eastern DRC.
The collaboration between SADC and EAC reflects a growing commitment to regional security and the collective responsibility of African nations in promoting peace and stability.
Online Reporter