President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe will head a delegation from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to Tanzania this week for a crucial meeting with the East African Community (EAC). The gathering aims to address the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This decision follows a recent SADC summit in Harare, chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto, that called for this joint effort.
The DRC, a member of both the SADC and the EAC, has accused Rwanda, also an EAC member, of supporting the M23 and other militant groups causing turmoil in eastern DRC. The upcoming summit aims to curb the violence that has led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
Mr. George Charamba, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, confirmed President Mnangagwa will co-chair the summit with President Ruto. The summit will bring together leaders from the Double Troika and countries contributing troops to address the crisis.
The Double Troika includes the current SADC chairman, the previous chairman, the incoming chairman, and the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, currently Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
On the ground, the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) has been active since December 15, 2023. It includes forces from Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania and supports the DRC government in restoring peace in the volatile eastern region.
Recently, after separate meetings by the SADC and the EAC, a ceasefire was declared by the rebels following severe criticism from the United Nations Security Council. This ceasefire, declared for humanitarian reasons, followed intense fighting that claimed control of Goma and resulted in approximately 900 civilian deaths and the displacement of thousands.
The SADC also issued a stark warning to rebels after South African troops, part of the SAMIDRC, were targeted, describing any further attacks as a "declaration of war." In response, Rwandan President Paul Kagame criticized South Africa's involvement, labeling it as part of an "offensive combat operation."
Tensions were already high at the SADC summit in Harare, which directed its Organ Troika to facilitate a ceasefire to protect lives and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. The leaders called for all involved to pursue dialogue, including through the Luanda Process and support from MONUSCO, to bring peace to the region.
In addition, the African Union's Peace and Security Council condemned the conflict at its recent emergency meeting, urging adherence to the Luanda Process, where Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço has been mediating.
The upcoming summit in Tanzania represents a critical opportunity for direct dialogue between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame, with SADC and the EAC facilitating the mediation.
The DRC, a member of both the SADC and the EAC, has accused Rwanda, also an EAC member, of supporting the M23 and other militant groups causing turmoil in eastern DRC. The upcoming summit aims to curb the violence that has led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
Mr. George Charamba, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, confirmed President Mnangagwa will co-chair the summit with President Ruto. The summit will bring together leaders from the Double Troika and countries contributing troops to address the crisis.
The Double Troika includes the current SADC chairman, the previous chairman, the incoming chairman, and the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, currently Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
On the ground, the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) has been active since December 15, 2023. It includes forces from Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania and supports the DRC government in restoring peace in the volatile eastern region.
Recently, after separate meetings by the SADC and the EAC, a ceasefire was declared by the rebels following severe criticism from the United Nations Security Council. This ceasefire, declared for humanitarian reasons, followed intense fighting that claimed control of Goma and resulted in approximately 900 civilian deaths and the displacement of thousands.
The SADC also issued a stark warning to rebels after South African troops, part of the SAMIDRC, were targeted, describing any further attacks as a "declaration of war." In response, Rwandan President Paul Kagame criticized South Africa's involvement, labeling it as part of an "offensive combat operation."
Tensions were already high at the SADC summit in Harare, which directed its Organ Troika to facilitate a ceasefire to protect lives and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. The leaders called for all involved to pursue dialogue, including through the Luanda Process and support from MONUSCO, to bring peace to the region.
In addition, the African Union's Peace and Security Council condemned the conflict at its recent emergency meeting, urging adherence to the Luanda Process, where Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço has been mediating.
The upcoming summit in Tanzania represents a critical opportunity for direct dialogue between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame, with SADC and the EAC facilitating the mediation.
