Sadc committed to lasting peace in the DRC

Richard Muponde

Zimpapers Politics Hub

The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) continues to demonstrate its determination to address the escalating security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with its recent Extraordinary Troika Summit focusing on strategies to counter the threat posed by the M23 rebel group and to restore lasting peace in the region.

Sadc held a virtual Extraordinary Troika Summit on March 6, 2025, which was chaired by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the chairperson of the Troika on Politics, Defence and Security.

President Hassan emphasised the importance of regional solidarity and collective action to support the DRC.

The Summit brought together key regional leaders, including President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of Malawi, the incoming Troika chairperson, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, the outgoing Troika chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, part of the Sadc Mission (SAMIDRC), and DRC President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi.

It focused on reviewing the mandate of the SAMIDRC following the recent intensification of violence in the eastern parts of DRC.

President Hassan set the tone in her opening remarks by reiterating the commitment of the regional bloc to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

“The Sadc region will do its best to assist the DRC. Sadc is in solidarity with the Congolese people,” she said.

Her sentiments reflect Sadc’s long-standing commitment to regional security, as enshrined in the Sadc Mutual Defence Pact of 2003, which obliges Member States to collectively address threats to peace and stability.

The Summit also paid tribute to the soldiers from Tanzania, South Africa, and Malawi who lost their lives during recent clashes in the eastern DRC while serving under SAMIDRC.

Regional leaders expressed their condolences and reaffirmed their commitment to the mission.

The DRC crisis has drawn not only Sadc’s attention but also that of the East African Community (EAC). While Sadc has been actively involved through SAMIDRC, the EAC has also deployed a regional force to counter the rebellion and stabilise the region.

The collaboration between SADC and the EAC underscores the necessity of regional partnerships in tackling complex security challenges. Both blocs’ continued engagements signal a shared determination to find a lasting solution.

The outcomes of the Troika Summit will be presented at an upcoming Extraordinary SADC Heads of State and Government Summit.

This meeting will likely refine and strengthen SAMIDRC’s mandate, ensuring that it aligns with the evolving security landscape in the DRC.

During a ZANU PF Politburo meeting last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his capacity as the Sadc chairperson, reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis in DRC.

He emphasised the importance of regional unity and dialogue in resolving the conflict.

“The DRC crisis is not just a Congolese problem, it is a regional challenge that requires a collective response. As Sadc, we are committed to ensuring peace and stability in the region, and we will continue to work tirelessly to support the DRC in its quest for lasting peace,” President Mnangagwa said.

He also highlighted the need for a balanced approach that combines military interventions with dialogue and peace building efforts.

“While we recognise the importance of military action in neutralising armed groups, we must also prioritise dialogue and inclusive solutions that address the root causes of the conflict,” he said.

As leaders deliberate on the next steps, the people of the DRC, particularly those in its conflict-ridden eastern provinces, await a lasting solution to the conflict.

The DRC government, on the other hand, has offered a reward of US$5million for those who can help in arresting three leaders of the M23 rebel group.

Corneille Nangaa, a former head of DRC’s electoral commission, now leads the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebel group. He has addressed large rallies in the cities under the group’s control.

The bounty is also on offer for M23 leaders Sultani Makenga and Bertrand Bisimwa.

Last year, the three men were prosecuted in absentia by a military court and were given death sentences for treason.

The M23 rebel group’s occupation of key areas in the region has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and displaced thousands.

A reward of US$4m was also offered for the arrest of two journalists living in exile and others that have been described by the DRC government as accomplices.

In recent weeks, the rebels captured large parts of the mineral-rich eastern DRC, including the region’s two largest cities – Goma and Bukavu.

However, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, and both Sadc and the EAC must translate their commitments into tangible actions that address the root causes of the conflict and lay the groundwork for lasting peace. -@muponderichard