Joseph Isangura
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika Summit on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, on November 20, 2024, focusing on the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Dr. Hussein Ally Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, represented Tanzania’s leader, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, at the summit, which was attended by regional heads of state and government representatives.
Dr. Mwinyi emphasized the urgency of resolving the enduring instability in the eastern DRC, calling on SADC nations to strengthen collaborative efforts. Highlighting Tanzania’s role as a current SADC chair, he stated that peace and security are fundamental to regional economic and social progress. He advocated for enhanced resource mobilization to support the deployment of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), aimed at restoring stability in the conflict-ridden region.
The summit’s communique underscored the severity of recent violations by the M23 rebel group and emphasized diplomatic engagement between the DRC and Rwanda, facilitated by Angola, to achieve long-term peace. Leaders also discussed resource pooling for the SADC Peace Fund to address financial and logistical challenges in sustaining peace efforts.
Attendees included representatives from Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, and the DRC, among others, signaling a broad commitment to addressing regional security concerns.
Read More; Tanzania, DRC Outpace Kenya in Ugandan Trade Shift
The leaders collectively endorsed coordinated military and diplomatic initiatives while stressing the importance of supporting the upcoming DRC elections, seen as crucial to establishing governance in the volatile eastern regions.
Dr. Mwinyi echoed sentiments from SADC Chairperson João Lourenço and Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, emphasizing regional unity against armed insurgencies. The meeting reinforced SADC’s role in shaping diplomatic and military strategies for peacebuilding in central Africa.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to fostering stability and cooperation within SADC member states,
