Eastern DRC faces worsening security crisis: SADC demands respect for Doha and Washington agreements
- Security
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an extraordinary virtual summit on Monday, June 22, under the leadership of Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, Malawi’s Second Vice-President representing Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of Malawi and Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. The meeting focused on reviewing regional security and political developments, with particular emphasis on Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The regional bloc reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding peace, strengthening democracy, and promoting regional stability and integration. SADC leaders underscored the critical need to enhance African-led crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms to preserve collective security across member states.
Deep concern over eastern DRC security deterioration
The SADC Troika expressed grave concern over the escalating security crisis in eastern DRC, warning that ongoing instability threatens not only national peace but also regional integration efforts. Participants called on all conflict parties to fully honor commitments made under the Doha and Washington agreements, particularly ceasefire provisions.
The summit highlighted the resurgence of Ebola in eastern DRC while reaffirming solidarity with the Congolese people. It noted that deteriorating security conditions in the region undermine both national peace and regional cooperation, as stated in the SADC communiqué.
The communiqué emphasized that African-led peace processes, supported by international efforts, remain essential for achieving lasting stability, resilience, and sustainable peace in the region.
Key recommendations ahead of SADC summit
The Troika formulated several recommendations to strengthen SADC’s engagement in conflict resolution. These will be submitted for consideration at the upcoming 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for August 16-17, 2026, in Durban, South Africa. This summit will mark the beginning of South Africa’s 12-month presidency of the regional bloc, following Madagascar’s leadership crisis that led to the interim presidency under Malawi.
The SADC meeting occurs amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the Washington and Doha agreements, aimed at establishing a durable ceasefire and reviving dialogue among eastern DRC conflict stakeholders. Despite these initiatives, ground realities show persistent hostilities between rebels and government forces.
While voices at national, regional, and international levels continue calling for adherence to peace agreement commitments, implementation gaps persist between diplomatic progress and on-the-ground realities. Each party continues to interpret agreement terms differently, making enforcement increasingly uncertain.
