The Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit has resolved to support the Nairobi peace process led by retired president Uhuru Kenyatta for the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict.
In a communication on Saturday, February 1, 2025, the SADC summit stated that the Nairobi process and the Luanda process led by Angola’s president had their backing to end the tensions in the Eastern part of DRC.
“Summit reiterated its support to the diplomatic efforts to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Eastern DRC through the Luanda Process, led by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa and the Nairobi Process, led by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya,” the statement read.
The summit attended by 13 member states of SADC included Tanzania president Samia Suluhu, South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa, Zimbabwe president Emmerson Mnangagwa who chairs SADC, Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema and Mozambique President Francisco Chapo.
Others were Botswana President Duma Boko, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina, Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, Eswatini Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, Angola’s Minister for External Relations Téte António, Malawi Minister for Foreign Affairs Nancy Gladys Tembo and Frans Kapofi, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs.
Attack on SADC forces
During the meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, the summit noted with concern the recent attacks by the M23 armed group and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) on the Government Forces of DRC, the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), and the civilian population in various areas of North Kivu.
“Summit expressed its deepest condolences to the Democratic Republic Congo, the Republics of Malawi and South Africa and, the United Republic of Tanzania for the deceased soldiers who lost their lives during the recent attacks in Sake, Eastern DRC, whilst serving under the SAMIDRC and wished those injured a speedy recovery,” the statement read.
They expressed concern that the recent attacks continued to worsen the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC and called for immediate restoration of essential utilities such as water, electricity, means of communication and supply lines for food and other essential commodities.
Similarly, the leaders condemned attacks on the SAMIDRC troops by the M23 operating in the Eastern DRC, noting that such actions violated the ceasefire that was brokered through the Luanda Process on July 30, 2024, and undermined peace and security of the DRC and the SADC region.
Dispatched defence chiefs, ministers
Additionally, the leaders called for the immediate dispatch of ministers of defence, chiefs of defence and Troop Contributing Countries to DRC to ensure that the SAMIDRC troops are safe and facilitate immediate repatriation of the deceased troops and those who are injured.
They also called for an immediate joint Summit of SADC and East African Community (EAC) to deliberate on the way forward regarding the security situation in the DRC as proposed by the 24th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State of the EAC held by President William Ruto on January 29, 2025.
The leaders urged Political and Diplomatic leaders who are parties to the conflict to engage in a coordinated effort of dialogue, including supporting the Luanda Process, MONUSCO and others, to restore peace and security in Eastern DRC.
They expressed their support for the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as sustainable peace, security and development.
