The Southern African Development Community (SADC), led by Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, Second Vice President of the Republic of Malawi and representing Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, convened an extraordinary virtual summit of the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on Monday, June 22.

The emergency meeting focused on assessing the security and political climate across the region, with particular attention to Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The regional bloc reaffirmed its commitment to “safeguarding peace, consolidating democracy, and promoting stability and regional integration.” SADC leaders underscored the need to strengthen African-led mechanisms for crisis prevention and resolution to ensure collective security.

Deep concern over eastern DRC instability

SADC expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, warning that “instability threatens not only national peace but also regional integration and cooperation efforts.” Participants urged all parties involved in the conflict to uphold their commitments under the Doha and Washington agreements, especially those related to the ceasefire.

According to the SADC communiqué, “Regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Summit voiced profound concern over the resurgence of the Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Congolese people. It also noted the worsening security situation in the region, emphasizing that instability jeopardizes national peace and regional integration.”

The communiqué continued: “The Summit called on all parties to adhere to the Doha and Washington agreements, particularly ceasefire provisions, and stressed that African-led peace processes, supported by international efforts, remain essential to achieving lasting stability, resilience, and sustainable peace.”

Recommendations to be reviewed at the upcoming heads of state summit

To amplify its involvement in finding solutions, the Troika has formulated several recommendations that will be submitted for consideration at the next SADC Heads of State and Government Summit. This will be the 46th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to be hosted by South Africa in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, from August 16 to 17, 2026.

This summit will mark the beginning of South Africa’s 12-month presidency of the regional economic bloc, at a time when South Africa currently holds the interim SADC presidency following the ousting of former Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina on October 14, 2025, amid a major political crisis in Madagascar.

The SADC meeting comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the Washington and Doha accords, aimed at establishing a durable ceasefire and reviving dialogue among conflict stakeholders in eastern DRC, which has been mired in conflict for years. However, these initiatives have yet to yield tangible results on the ground, where hostilities persist between rebel factions and government forces.

Despite repeated calls from national, regional, and international voices to respect the commitments made under peace initiatives, progress remains elusive. The gap between diplomatic progress on paper and ground realities continues to widen, as each party interprets the agreements according to its own terms, further complicating their implementation.