This decision was made during the extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on January 31, 2025, in Harare, Zimbabwe, to discuss the security situation in the DRC.
The heads of state from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc consisting of 16 member states, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the DRC in its fight against rebel forces.
These rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, continue to capture new territory in the eastern part of the country.
SADC decisions on Congo-Rwanda crisis
At the Summit, the bloc reiterated its commitment to resolving the crisis in the DRC.
The bloc expressed its “unwavering commitment” to continue supporting the DRC in its efforts to protect its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as stated in a declaration.
The Summit expressed concern over worsening security and humanitarian conditions in the DRC, calling for the immediate restoration of essential utilities.
It strongly condemned attacks on SAMIDRC troops by M23 and RDF, citing violations of the Luanda ceasefire and threats to regional stability.
Reaffirming its May 2023 decision to deploy peacekeeping forces, the Summit noted that peace and territorial integrity remain unachieved.
The Summit further called for the immediate dispatch of ministers of defense, chiefs of defense 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.
It reiterated support for diplomatic efforts led by Angola and Kenya and called for urgent ministerial visits to ensure troop safety and repatriate casualties.
The summit also urged a joint SADC-EAC meeting to address the crisis, mandated SADC’s Organ Troika to engage all parties in ceasefire negotiations, and called for renewed political and diplomatic dialogue to restore peace in Eastern DRC.
Rwanda, South Africa trade words
The conflict has sparked a diplomatic row, with South Africa and Rwanda engaging in a war of words.
Tensions between South Africa and Rwanda reached a critical level after President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of killing South African peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Over the past week, the rebel forces made significant gains, capturing much of Goma, the largest city in the region.
In response, South Africa issued a strong diplomatic warning, cautioning that further attacks on its troops would be treated as a “declaration of war”.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame fired back, condemning South Africa’s involvement and accusing it of being part of a “belligerent force” supporting the Congolese government in fighting “against its own people.”
Despite the escalating tensions, Kagame agreed with the US government on the need for a ceasefire in eastern Congo, but refused to withdraw Rwandan troops and M23 rebels from Goma.
The situation remains volatile, with the international community calling for restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
