Tinaye Agere
Harmony Agere
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has strongly condemned the recent attack on the bloc’s Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the M23 rebels.
The attack, which occurred on January 22, 2025, in Goma, Eastern DRC, has been described by the regional body as a grave act of aggression that threatens the peace and security of the region.
In a statement on Saturday, SADC Secretariat said: “SADC unequivocally condemns this act of aggression by the M23 operating in the Eastern DRC.
“Such actions undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity and peace and security of the DRC and the SADC region.”
SADC expressed concern that M23’s actions, allegedly driven by territorial ambitions, have worsened the already precarious humanitarian and security situation in the region.
The bloc added that the violence has displaced millions and disproportionately affected vulnerable groups.
“The pursuit of territorial expansion by M23 only exacerbates the already existing dire humanitarian and security situation in the Eastern DRC, which has left thousands of people dead and forced millions, particularly women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, to flee their homes,” reads the statement.
SADC, however, praised the mission for successfully repelling the rebel attack.
“SADC commends the actions of the brave men and women from SAMIDRC who sacrificed their lives for the region,” reads the statement.
The attack has been condemned as a violation of the Nairobi Peace Process and the Luanda Process ceasefire agreement.
“The actions of the M23 armed group contravene the Nairobi Peace Process and are a clear violation of the agreed ceasefire brokered through the Luanda Process,” SADC noted, referencing the initiative led by Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.
Online Reporter