By : Lloyd Mahachi

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has resolved urgent shipment of ministers of defense, chiefs of defense and representatives of nations that deployed peacekeeping troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where rebels of the March 23 (M23) movement are threatening to overwhelm the international and local security forces after seizing some parts of the mineral rich city of Goma.

In a memorandum after convening a four-hour SADC Exraordinary Summit held in Harare on Friday, chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The leaders who attended the summit also resolved to conduct an urgent meeting with the East African Community in an effort to resolve the security situation, which they claim may plunge the southern African region and some central and eastern nations into a serious clash.

The press release reads, ” Summit received the latest reports on the unfolding security situation in the Eastern part of the DRC and noted with concern the recent attacks by the M23 armed group and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) on the Government Forces of DRC, the SADC mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), and the civilian population in various areas of North Kivu.”

The SADC leaders added there was urgent need to dispatch ministers of defence, chiefs of defence and troop contributing countries to DRC “to ensure that the SAMIDRC troops are safe and facilitate immediate expulsion of the deceased troops and those who are wounded.”

At least 13 South African soldiers have been murdered in fierce battles in Goma and over 300,000 civilians have fled their homes.

The SADC leaders also commended efforts being made by Angola and Kenya in bringing lasting peace to the DRC.

They tasked Tanzanian President Salam Suluhu Hassan, who attended the summit and leads the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, to engage with state and non-state actors to the conflict on a ceasefire process to protect lives and facilitate a smooth flow of humanitarian support to the people affected.

The SADC leaders urged parties to the conflict to engage in a coordinated effort of dialogue to resolve the dispute.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi