SADC heads of state meet in Luanda to discuss situation in eastern DRC
On November 4, 2023, heads of state from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries gathered in Luanda, Angola, for a crucial summit. At the heart of the discussions: the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the establishment of a joint military force to fight against the M23 rebellion.
The main concern of this SADC summit is to find an agreement on the modalities of the deployment of the regional force, known as SAMIDRC. According to sources close to the negotiations, a precise plan should be drawn up at the end of this meeting, but details such as the number of soldiers and the contributing countries remain confidential for security reasons.
However, it has been confirmed that South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania have expressed their willingness to participate in this joint force. The deployment of the SAMIDRC will be all the more urgent as the fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 has intensified in recent weeks, while the East African Community (EAC) troops are due to withdraw in December and the The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) is beginning to reduce its presence on the ground.
A major concern also concerns the cohabitation of the SADC force with Burundian troops present in the region. According to a bilateral agreement, Burundian troops will remain in place even after the withdrawal of the EAC.
This SADC summit marks an important step in regional efforts to strengthen security in eastern DRC and put an end to the activities of armed groups. Military coordination and cooperation between SADC member countries will be essential to ensure long-term stability in the region.
It is important to emphasize that this meeting highlights the commitment of the international community to support the DRC in its fight against armed groups and to promote peace and security in the region. The establishment of this SADC joint force is an important step towards this objective and illustrates the desire of African countries to find regional solutions to security problems.
In conclusion, the SADC summit in Luanda marks a crucial step in efforts to strengthen stability and security in eastern DRC. The establishment of a joint military force is a significant regional response to the challenges posed by armed groups and demonstrates the commitment of the international community to support the DRC in its quest for peace and security.