Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
THE Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government which ended Harare this Friday called for an immediate joint summit of SADC and the East African Community to discuss the deteriorating situation in the DRC.
With close to a decade of unrest, the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to face instability with fights over power and resources.
This has seen millions being displaced and thousands being killed in the crisis.
Over the years, efforts have been put in place to restore peace and stability but that has been elusive.
Recently peace keepers were killed by the M23 rebels and this drew the ire of the regional and international community.
With the humanitarian crisis in Goma worsening, SADC called for an urgent extraordinary summit of heads of state and government which was chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare this Friday.
After deliberating for several hours behind closed doors, the leaders made several resolutions which were read out in a communique.
As the summit expressed concern that the recent attacks continued to worsen the humanitarian crisis, it called for an urgent joint summit with the East Africa Community.
SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi said, “The Summit reiterated its support to the diplomatic efforts to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the eastern DRC through the Luanda process led by the President of Angola His Excellency Joao Lourenco and the African Union champion for peace and reconciliation in Africa and Nairobi process led by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta former President of Kenya.
“The Summit called for the immediate dispatch of ministers’ defence, chiefs of defence 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.
“The Summit called for the immediate joint summit of SADC and East African community EAC to deliberate on the way forward regarding the security situation in the DRC as proposed by the 24th extra ordinary summit of heads of the EAC held on the 29th.”
SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa underscored the need to ensure peace and stability are restored in the DRC.
“I am confident that the concrete decisions adopted today will further propel the ongoing joint efforts to find lasting solutions to restore peace and normalcy in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Undoubtedly, consolidating solidarity and attaining our common destiny remains a top priority for our region.
“These principles underpin the commitments we made today, and are indeed the solid basis upon which the goals we have set for ourselves, will be actioned.
“The realisation of the SADC Vision 2050 and the Africa we all want under the AU Union Agenda 2063, are intricately dependent on an unshakeable foundation of political stability, peace and security. As masters of our own destiny, we, therefore, remain relentless in our quest to create a SADC and an Africa that plays its part at the global stage, guided by the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the spirit of African Renaissance,” he said.
The SADC Chairperson also noted the need for member states to work towards the permanent silencing of guns to ensure sustainable peace.
“It is the individual and collective duty of all Member States, to do much more towards permanently silencing the guns if we are to succeed in achieving these aspirations. Together we must march forward, no one and no place must be left behind.
“Hence, bold and decisive measures must continue to be implemented to adequately resource and equip our Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) so that it continues to execute its mandate.
“Fundamentally, all parties to the conflict, are urged to pursue an encompassing dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms, guided by the spirit and letter of both the Luanda Ceasefire Agreement and the Nairobi Peace Process,” said President Mnangagwa.
The extraordinary summit also noted the need for the regional bloc to continue pursuing strategies to assist the DRC to realise lasting peace.
