President Emmerson Mnangagwa will lead a high-level SADC delegation to Tanzania for an extraordinary joint summit with the East African Community (EAC) aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The meeting follows a resolution made at last week’s SADC Extraordinary Summit in Harare, which called for direct engagement between the two regional blocs. The DRC, a member of both SADC and EAC, has accused Rwanda, an EAC member, of backing the M23 rebel group and other armed factions that have caused destruction and displacement in eastern Congo. The joint summit comes amid growing hostilities that have claimed thousands of lives and forced millions to flee their homes.
Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications, Mr. George Charamba, confirmed that President Mnangagwa will co-chair the summit alongside Kenyan President William Ruto, who leads the EAC. He highlighted President Mnangagwa’s diplomatic influence, particularly his strong ties with both DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, making him a crucial mediator in the crisis. The SADC Double Troika, which includes the regional chairperson, the outgoing and incoming chairs, and the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, will also be part of the delegation. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who currently chairs the SADC security organ, is expected to play a key role in the discussions.
The SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), deployed in December 2023, includes forces from Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania, assisting the Congolese government in restoring stability. However, tensions escalated recently after heavy clashes between rebel groups and government forces led to an estimated 900 civilian deaths and mass displacement. South Africa, which has contributed troops to the mission, warned that any further attacks on its forces would be viewed as an act of war. In response, President Kagame accused South Africa of engaging in combat operations that favored the Congolese government, further straining regional relations.
The upcoming summit will provide a platform for direct dialogue between President Tshisekedi and President Kagame under the mediation of SADC and EAC leaders. The meeting is expected to reinforce diplomatic efforts such as the Luanda Process, spearheaded by Angolan President João Lourenço, which has struggled to secure a lasting ceasefire. Last week, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council also condemned the violence and called for all parties to respect existing peace initiatives.
SADC leaders remain committed to the sovereignty and stability of the DRC, emphasizing the need for coordinated diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis and support humanitarian assistance for affected communities.
