Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau
SADC Chairperson, President Mnangagwa, has described the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as complex, requiring an inclusive and honest dialogue to resolve it.
Speaking during his closing address at a joint virtual summit between SADC and the East African Community (EAC) on Monday evening, which focused on finding a sustainable resolution to the protracted crisis that has displaced millions and destabilised the Great Lakes region, President Mnangagwa called for concerted efforts to end the conflict.
After the three-hour meeting, which concluded around 11pm, he commended Kenyan President William Ruto, the Chairman of the EAC, and the two regional blocs’ secretariats for their efforts in ensuring the implementation of all tasks that needed completion.
“We will continue to count on their expertise for the desired results in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. We all agreed that the conflict is complex and requires us to address its root causes. This can only be achieved through an inclusive and honest dialogue,” said President Mnangagwa.
“In today’s complex geopolitical environment, it is critically important that we deploy the necessary mechanisms and resources to enhance self-reliance in the spirit of our mantra, ‘African solutions to African problems.’ None but ourselves must find solutions to our challenges, with others coming in to complement our own efforts.”
He implored leaders from the two regional blocs to move quickly in implementing the agreed outcomes.
“The endeavours and joint efforts under our regional economic communities must see the realisation of lasting peace and sustainable development in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We should move swiftly in laying the ground for our defence chiefs to engage the relevant authorities on the ground, facilitate the smooth withdrawal of SAMIDRC (SADC Mission in the DRC) troops, work for a ceasefire, a cessation of hostilities, and create conditions for an all-inclusive dialogue under the merged Luanda and Nairobi process,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The merger itself must happen as a matter of urgency. Furthermore, we call on the international community to expeditiously come together, without delay, and provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance to the affected population.
“It is necessary that the pragmatic decisions we have made today be implemented with speed. The people of DRC and the international community are looking to us with anticipation. We should not fail them.”
During the summit, the two blocs resolved to appoint five former eminent African leaders as facilitators in the eastern DRC, where hostilities are ongoing between Government forces and the M23 armed group.
The facilitators are: former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of the Central African Republic Catherine-Samba Panza and former President of Ethiopia, Sahle Work Zewde.
The two bloc chairpersons, President Mnangagwa and President Ruto of Kenya, are set to convene a meeting with the five facilitators to map a way forward in the wake of escalating hostilities in the Great Lakes region.
In a communiqué released after the virtual joint meeting, the summit directed the Co-Chairs of the two blocs to convene a meeting within a week, with the facilitators to brief them on their mandate and the work at hand.
“The EAC and SADC secretariats are to notify the facilitators of the joint summit’s unanimous appointment and convey the outcome of this summit to the African Union and the United Nations Security Council.
“The joint summit directed the Co-Chairs to convene a briefing session with the Panel of Facilitators within the next seven days. The briefing should be done jointly by SADC, EAC and the African Union.”
The communiqué also noted that the summit adopted the report on the outcomes of the Joint EAC-SADC Meeting of Ministers held on March 17, 2025 in Harare, which included a joint meeting of chiefs of defence, and a roadmap detailing immediate, medium-term and long-term implementation measures to attain sustainable peace and security in eastern DRC.
The conflict in eastern DRC, involving Government forces and the M23 armed group, has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions, including women, children, the disabled and the elderly.
The Monday meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of State for National Security Lovemore Matuke, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Valerio Sibanda, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet responsible for Presidential Communications Mr George Charamba and other senior Government officials.
Bongani Ndlovu