SADC plans to hold a virtual emergency meeting today, bringing together several African leaders. The online summit includes heads of state from countries contributing troops to the mission in Congo. Tanzania's President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, leads the meeting as chair of the group focused on regional security matters. The gathering aims to address serious peace concerns in eastern Congo.
Barbara Lopi, who runs communications for SADC, announced that leaders from Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, and Congo will attend the virtual session. These nations form the core group overseeing regional security or provide military support to Congo's peacekeeping efforts. Before today's summit, ministers and senior officials from these countries already met to prepare recommendations for their presidents. The main focus remains on finding solutions to the ongoing conflict.
The Congolese government continues fighting against M23 rebels who have seized control of eastern territories. These rebels took over towns, including Goma, North Kivu, and Bukavu, establishing their control systems there. The situation has created a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people across the region. Both SADC and the East Africa Community have worked desperately to broker peace deals.
Fighting has killed thousands of people and forced many more to flee their homes. Among those killed were at least 14 South African soldiers serving as peacekeepers with the SADC mission. The violence shows no signs of stopping despite diplomatic efforts from multiple African organizations. Leaders hope today's emergency summit might produce new strategies to end the bloodshed and restore stability to eastern Congo.
Barbara Lopi, who runs communications for SADC, announced that leaders from Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, and Congo will attend the virtual session. These nations form the core group overseeing regional security or provide military support to Congo's peacekeeping efforts. Before today's summit, ministers and senior officials from these countries already met to prepare recommendations for their presidents. The main focus remains on finding solutions to the ongoing conflict.
The Congolese government continues fighting against M23 rebels who have seized control of eastern territories. These rebels took over towns, including Goma, North Kivu, and Bukavu, establishing their control systems there. The situation has created a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people across the region. Both SADC and the East Africa Community have worked desperately to broker peace deals.
Fighting has killed thousands of people and forced many more to flee their homes. Among those killed were at least 14 South African soldiers serving as peacekeepers with the SADC mission. The violence shows no signs of stopping despite diplomatic efforts from multiple African organizations. Leaders hope today's emergency summit might produce new strategies to end the bloodshed and restore stability to eastern Congo.
