SADC Leaders Convene Emergency Summit Amid Escalating DRC Conflict

By Loyd Matare
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is holding an extraordinary summit in Harare, to address the deteriorating security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The meeting, chaired by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, aims to find a solution to the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, which has resulted in the deaths of 13 South African and three Malawian soldiers.
According to Zimbabwe’s Foreign Minister, Prof Amon Murwira, “There are negative developments in the east of the DRC, a lot of violence and conflict… The extraordinary summit is for heads of state and government to debate and make decisions on the peace efforts for the eastern DRC.”
The summit will review the operational capacity of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), deployed in December 2023 to support the DRC government in restoring peace and security.
However, with only Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania contributing troops and equipment, other SADC countries may face pressure to bolster the mission.
Tensions between South Africa and Rwanda are also escalating, with South Africa accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame denies these allegations, stating, “If South Africa wants to contribute to peaceful solutions, that is well and good, but South Africa is in no position to take on the role of a peacemaker or mediator.”
As the conflict intensifies, soldiers fighting for the DRC are laying down their arms, and nearly 300 mercenaries have surrendered.
Willy Ngoma, a spokesman for the M23 group, claims, “Let the people of Goma be calm, peace is here.”
However, the situation remains volatile, with the DRC army appearing disorganized and ill-equipped.
The conflict in eastern DRC has its roots in ethnic tensions, with the M23 group claiming to defend ethnic Tutsis. Rwanda has accused Hutus and former militias of persecuting Tutsis, leading to the 1994 genocide.
The situation remains complex, with multiple armed groups vying for control of the region’s rich mineral resources.
As SADC leaders convene to address the crisis, the international community watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the escalating conflict.