The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reiterated its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid escalating violence in the country’s eastern region.
During a high-level summit in Zimbabwe on Friday, SADC called for the immediate deployment of defense ministers and military chiefs to assess the security of its peacekeeping forces under the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). The officials have been tasked with ensuring the safety of troops and coordinating the swift repatriation of injured and fallen soldiers.
The summit comes as the M23 rebel group expands its control in North Kivu province, reportedly seizing parts of Goma, a strategic city near the Rwandan border. In response, SADC leaders urged a joint session with the East African Community (EAC) to explore solutions to the worsening crisis.
Call for Direct Talks
The EAC held a separate virtual summit on Wednesday, pressing Kinshasa to engage in direct negotiations with the rebels. The latest M23 offensive, launched last week, has destabilized Goma, home to an estimated three million people, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The DRC government has accused Rwanda of backing the rebels, a claim Kigali strongly denies. Uganda has also faced similar allegations, which it has dismissed. As the conflict intensifies, regional leaders have called for an immediate ceasefire, warning of dire humanitarian consequences.
Rising Death Toll and Displacement
Although independent verification remains difficult, reports suggest nearly 100 people have been killed in the past week. Thousands have been displaced, with many crossing into Rwanda, including staff from international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
Rwanda has reported that nine of its citizens died in what it described as cross-border shelling from Goma. Meanwhile, at least 17 individuals, including 16 SAMIDRC peacekeepers, have been killed since the latest wave of fighting erupted.
The crisis in eastern DRC continues to pose a significant security challenge for the region, with both SADC and EAC seeking urgent diplomatic and military responses to prevent further escalation.