Harare, Zimbabwe – On January 31, 2025, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare, Zimbabwe, to address the escalating security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The summit, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe and current SADC Chairperson, brought together leaders from across the region to deliberate on the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the DRC.
The summit was attended by several heads of state and government, including President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi of the DRC, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and President Daniel Francisco Chapo of Mozambique, among others. Representatives from Angola, Malawi, Namibia, and other SADC member states also participated.
The leaders expressed deep concern over the recent attacks by the M23 armed group and the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) on the DRC government forces, the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), and civilian populations in North Kivu. These attacks have exacerbated the security and humanitarian crisis in the region, leading to significant loss of life and displacement.
The summit condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, noting that they violate the ceasefire brokered through the Luanda Process on July 30, 2024. The leaders called for an immediate restoration of essential utilities such as water, electricity, and communication lines, as well as the safe passage of food and other essential commodities to affected areas.
In a show of solidarity, the summit extended its deepest condolences to the DRC, Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania for the soldiers who lost their lives during the recent attacks in Sake, eastern DRC. The leaders also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the line of duty.
The summit reiterated its support for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, including the Luanda Process led by Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and the Nairobi Process led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. The leaders called for an immediate joint summit between SADC and the East African Community (EAC) to discuss the way forward in addressing the security situation in the DRC.
Additionally, the summit mandated the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation to engage with all parties involved in the conflict to facilitate a ceasefire and ensure the smooth flow of humanitarian aid to affected communities. The leaders urged political and diplomatic leaders to engage in coordinated dialogue to restore peace and security in the region.
The summit reaffirmed SADC’s unwavering commitment to supporting the DRC in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The leaders also expressed their appreciation for the dedication and resilience of the men and women serving in the SAMIDRC.
In a gesture of regional solidarity, the Republic of Madagascar pledged medical support to the injured and displaced people in the eastern DRC. The summit also congratulated President Daniel Francisco Chapo of Mozambique on his recent election and welcomed his participation in the SADC Summit.
The summit concluded with expressions of gratitude to President Mnangagwa for convening the meeting and to all the heads of state and government for their commitment to regional cooperation and the pursuit of peace and stability in the SADC region.
