Media Wire Express Correspondent
Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, chaired a critical emergency meeting of the Committee of Ministers for Politics, Defense, and Security within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The high-level session, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, focused on the ongoing security challenges in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and explored collective approaches to peace-building in the region.
The meeting brought together key ministers from SADC member countries to discuss the worsening security situation in eastern DRC, where armed conflicts continue to disrupt peace and stability. The agenda laid out several strategic initiatives to address the crisis, which will be further deliberated upon in an upcoming summit of SADC Heads of State and Government. The summit is expected to provide more concrete guidance and directives on regional responses.
Tanzania, which has been a strong advocate for regional peace and security, was represented by a delegation that included Hon. Dr. Stergomena Tax, Minister of Defense and National Building Forces, alongside senior officials such as Ambassador Dr. Samwel Shelukindo, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and General Jacob Mkunda, the Chief of Defense Forces.
In her remarks, Dr. Tax stressed Tanzania’s commitment to supporting regional initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace in the DRC. She underlined the importance of implementing decisions made by the Heads of State, urging member nations to work together to bring peace and security to the troubled region.
Minister Kombo, in his closing statement, reaffirmed Tanzania’s unwavering support for its SADC partners. He emphasized that solidarity among the member states is crucial in addressing the root causes of instability in eastern DRC. “Our unity will be the foundation that enables us to find a permanent solution and restore peace and security to our brothers in the eastern DRC,” said Kombo.
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The tripartite meeting underscored the ongoing commitment of SADC countries to peace and security in the Great Lakes region. It also marked a significant step toward fostering greater regional cooperation to resolve conflicts and ensure long-term stability. As the situation in the DRC remains fluid, the ongoing dialogues within the SADC framework are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of peace efforts in Central Africa.
The DRC, grappling with complex political and security challenges, remains a focal point for regional diplomacy, with Tanzania leading the charge in fostering cooperative peace-building measures.
