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Today January 31, 2025, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an Extraordinary Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, to address the escalating security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The summit, chaired by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, brought together regional leaders to deliberate on strategies aimed at restoring peace and stability in the conflict-ridden region.
In his opening remarks, President Mnangagwa extended a warm welcome to the attending dignitaries, including King Mswati III of Eswatini, President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, President João Lourenço of Angola, President Samia Hassan of Tanzania, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, and President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia. He also acknowledged the presence of newly inaugurated Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo, expressing optimism about collaborative efforts to enhance regional peace and integration.
President Mnangagwa expressed deep concern over the lack of progress in achieving lasting peace in the eastern DRC, highlighting the recent escalation of hostilities that culminated in attacks on SADC’s mission in Goma. These assaults resulted in the tragic loss of several peacekeepers from both the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), with many others sustaining serious injuries.
“On behalf of SADC, the Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the Member States and families of the brave men and women who lost their lives in the service of the people of DRC, the SADC region, and indeed the cause of continental and world peace,” President Mnangagwa stated.
Image credit Zandile Zaza Ndlovu 
The summit unequivocally condemned the recent attacks by the M23 rebel group, labeling them as grave acts of aggression that threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and the broader SADC region. The leaders emphasized that such actions not only undermine regional stability but also exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC.
“The pursuit of territorial expansion by M23 only exacerbates the already existing dire humanitarian and security situation in the Eastern DRC, which has left thousands of people dead and forced millions, particularly women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, to flee their homes,” read a statement from the SADC Secretariat.
In response to the escalating conflict, the summit reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the DRC in its quest for peace. This includes the extension of SAMIDRC’s mandate, which was initially deployed in December 2023 to assist the Congolese army in combating rebel groups. The mission’s mandate was previously extended by one year during an extraordinary summit held in November 2024.
Despite facing significant challenges, including recent attacks that resulted in the deaths of several South African soldiers, SAMIDRC forces have successfully defended their positions against M23 offensives. The summit commended the bravery and resilience of the SAMIDRC personnel, acknowledging their sacrifices in the pursuit of regional peace and security.
The leaders also highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict, noting that millions have been displaced, with vulnerable populations bearing the brunt of the violence. They called upon international partners to enhance their support in addressing the critical needs of the displaced populations and reiterated the importance of dialogue and peacebuilding initiatives.
“The importance of dialogue and peacebuilding for the benefit of the people of the Eastern DRC must be boldly pursued,” President Mnangagwa emphasized. “Our region stands ready to intensify efforts to protect the SADC citizens from all forms of instability, in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact.”
The summit concluded with a call for member states to leverage their collective political will to develop a concrete and actionable roadmap aimed at accelerating the realization of peace in the eastern DRC. The leaders underscored the shared obligation of ensuring regional security and the necessity of engaging in frank and fact-based deliberations to achieve lasting solutions.
As the SADC region confronts the challenges posed by the conflict in the eastern DRC, the Extraordinary Summit in Harare serves as a testament to the collective resolve of Southern African nations to work collaboratively towards peace, stability, and the well-being of their citizens.