The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened a virtual Extraordinary Summit of the Organ Troika Plus on March 6, 2025, to address the worsening security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The meeting brought together troop-contributing countries under the SADC Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC) and the DRC leadership to review the ongoing intervention and assess the recommendations of the Defence Sub-Committee.
The summit was chaired by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania in her capacity as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation. Attendees included President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, the incoming Chairperson of the Organ; President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, the outgoing Chairperson; President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, representing a SAMIDRC troop-contributing country; and President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC.
Summit discussions focused on the latest security developments in eastern DRC and reviewed the SAMIDRC mandate in light of the ongoing crisis. In her opening remarks, President Hassan reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to assisting the DRC in restoring peace and security. The summit expressed deep condolences to the DRC, South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania for the soldiers who lost their lives in recent attacks and extended wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured.
Reaffirming SADC’s solidarity with the people of the DRC, the summit pledged continued regional support under the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003. The meeting also commended President Hassan for swiftly convening the Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit in response to decisions made at the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit held on January 31, 2025, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The summit’s recommendations will be presented at an upcoming Extraordinary SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, with the date to be confirmed.
