The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit was recently held in Harare, highlighting the extension of the mandate of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) for an additional one year. This decision is crucial as the eastern part of the country is facing a resurgence of armed conflicts, leading to a deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation.
SADC, in expressing its concern over the escalation of violence in the DRC, reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Congolese government in its efforts to establish lasting peace. The assembled Heads of State and Government commended the dedication and sacrifices of the mission personnel deployed on the ground.
Established in December 2023, SAMIDRC is working to assist the DRC in managing the instability caused by the resurgence of armed groups in the eastern part of the country. This mission benefits from the reinforced support of MONUSCO, in accordance with Resolution 2746 adopted by the United Nations Security Council in August 2024.
Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço was commended for his efforts in the Luanda process aimed at negotiating a ceasefire between the DRC and Rwanda. However, the recurring violations of the ceasefire agreement of 4 August 2024 were strongly condemned at the summit. It called for better coordination of peace initiatives between the parties concerned.
In a context where regional peace and security are closely linked, the summit stressed the importance of continued support from the African Union and the United Nations to SAMIDRC. It was recalled that any attack against any of these institutions constitutes a threat to regional stability, in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi expressed his appreciation for SADC’s continued support in this crisis. The discussions also highlighted the need to accelerate efforts to harmonize regional and international initiatives to promote peace in eastern DRC.
In conclusion, the extension of the SAMIDRC mission’s mandate represents a further step towards stabilizing eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This extension demonstrates the commitment of SADC and the international community to support the DRC’s efforts to restore peace and security in the region.