In a bid to address the escalating security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), regional leaders convened yesterday for the Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Plus Summit. Chaired by Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the summit brought together heads of state and government officials to deliberate on measures aimed at restoring stability in the conflict-ridden region.
During the summit, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, in his capacity as the outgoing chair of the Organ Troika, expressed deep concern over the volatile situation in the DRC. He highlighted the broader implications of the crisis, emphasizing its detrimental effects not only on Zambia but also on the entire region. “As a neighboring country, Zambia is deeply troubled by the instability in the DRC, which affects not only our nation but the entire region,” President Hichilema remarked. He also extended condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict.
One of the key resolutions from the summit was the decision to withdraw the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and its equipment. The SAMIDRC force, which was initially deployed to assist in restoring peace in the volatile region, is now set for disengagement following the summit’s conclusions. This decision received strong backing from Zambia and other member states, signaling a shift in approach to the region’s security challenges.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Suluhu Hassan commended the leaders for their unwavering commitment to addressing the crisis and for their firm stance against the ongoing violence in the DRC. She stressed the importance of collective responsibility in resolving regional security challenges and called on SADC member states to support peaceful and diplomatic solutions. “The mission will continue assisting the DRC in its path toward peace and stability with the resources available from member states,” she stated.
As the summit concluded, regional leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with the people of the DRC. They pledged to work toward achieving sustainable peace in the region through diplomatic engagement and coordinated security efforts. The summit marked a critical moment in the ongoing quest to restore stability to the eastern DRC and, by extension, the broader Great Lakes region.