Harare, Zimbabwe – March 13, 2025.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) wrapped up its Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government today, March 13, 2025, in Harare, delivering a comprehensive response to the escalating security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Chaired by His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe and SADC Chairperson, the Summit underscored the region’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and stability in the DRC, a member state grappling with intensifying conflict in its eastern regions.
Broad Regional Representation
The Summit saw robust attendance from SADC leaders and representatives, reflecting the urgency of the situation. In addition to those previously mentioned, key figures included:
United Republic of Tanzania: H.E. President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Zambia: H.E. President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema.
Lesotho: Right Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane.
Eswatini: The Right Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Russel Dlamini.
Malawi: Honourable Ms. Nancy Gladys Tembo, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mauritius: Honourable Mr. Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade.
Angola: Honourable Mr. Manuel Homem, Minister of Home Affairs.
Seychelles: H.E. Mr. Claude Morel, High Commissioner of South Africa to the Republic of Seychelles.
Detailed Assessment of the DRC Crisis
The Summit deliberated extensively on the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, focusing on the latest updates from the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) Mandate, as presented at the Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit on March 6, 2025. Leaders expressed grave concern over the capture of strategic areas like Goma and Bukavu by armed groups, as well as the blockage of main supply routes, which has severely restricted humanitarian aid delivery and exacerbated the plight of civilians.
Humanitarian and Security Commitments
The Summit issued a clarion call to all parties to uphold international humanitarian principles, emphasizing the protection of civilians, stopping attacks on infrastructure, and ensuring unhindered humanitarian access (Point 8). It also noted the growing humanitarian needs in the DRC, urging the international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, to provide assistance to the people of the DRC (Point 9).
In a significant move, the Summit terminated the SAMIDRC mandate and directed a phased withdrawal of troops from the DRC (Point 10). However, it reaffirmed its dedication to addressing the ongoing conflict by supporting interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security to eastern DRC, in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003 (Point 11). The leaders also emphasized safeguarding the DRC’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, advocating for sustainable peace, security, and development (Point 12).
Push for Diplomatic Solutions
The Summit reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict, involving all stakeholders—state, non-state, military, and non-military—in the eastern DRC to restore peace, security, and tranquility (Point 13). It called for further integration of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes by the East African Community (EAC) and SADC to enhance peace-building efforts (Point 14). Additionally, the Summit welcomed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2773 Resolution, which supports regional efforts by the AU, EAC, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and SADC, as well as high-level meetings, mediation processes, and initiatives by the UN Secretary-General to restore peace in eastern DRC (Point 15).
Acknowledgment of Leadership
The Summit acknowledged the gratitude expressed by H.E. President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC for SADC’s continued support in addressing the country’s security challenges (Point 16). It also commended H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chairperson of the SADC Organ, for her leadership in spearheading regional peace and security efforts (Point 17). President Mnangagwa was thanked for convening the Summit and for his leadership in promoting regional cooperation toward peace and stability in the SADC region (Point 18). In closing, President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to the attending Heads of State and Government for their commitment to the region’s agenda (Point 19).
A Unified Path Forward
The Extraordinary Summit concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, with SADC leaders committing to a multifaceted approach that combines diplomatic efforts, humanitarian support, and strategic peace-building initiatives. The decisions made today signal a pivotal moment for the DRC and the broader SADC region, as the organization seeks to address one of the most pressing security challenges on the continent.
Further updates will follow as SADC member states begin implementing the Summit’s directives. Stay tuned for more on this critical development.
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