Today’s Lusaka SADC summit has reiterated the regional commitment in the Mutual Defence Pact and commended Member States for their continued contribution and support to SAMIM and SAMIDRC. It also reiterated support for political and diplomatic processes, including the Luanda Process and the Nairobi Process.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ Troika Plus SADC Troika, Troops Contributing Countries to the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), and Personnel Contributing Countries to the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) was convened on the 23rd of March, 2024. Chaired by His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, the summit aimed to address key issues related to peace and security in the region.

The summit was attended by several SADC Heads of State and Government and/or their representatives, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, the Kingdom of Lesotho, Namibia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa. The Executive Secretary of SADC also attended the summit.

During the summit, condolences were expressed to the Republic of Namibia, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of South Africa for their respective losses. Summit also commemorated the Southern Africa Liberation Day, reaffirming SADC’s commitment to solidarity, self-determination, and regional cooperation.

Updates on the peace and security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Mozambique were received, with SADC reiterating its support for the two governments in achieving lasting peace, stability, and security. The summit commended Troop Contributing Countries for their dedicated service in preserving peace and security in the region.

Today’s SADC summit has reiterated the regional commitment expressed in the SADC Mutual Defence Pact and commended Member States for their continued contribution and support to SAMIM and SAMIDRC. It also reiterated support for political and diplomatic processes, including the Luanda Process and the Nairobi Process.

Expressing gratitude to the African Union Commission and the United Nations Security Council for their support towards SAMIDRC, summit reiterated its commitment to providing both diplomatic and military support to the Government and people of the DRC to find lasting solutions to the violent conflict in Eastern DRC.

Summit disapproved of the contents of the correspondence from the Republic of Rwanda concerning support to SAMIDRC and reiterated that the deployment of SAMIDRC is aligned with the SADC Treaty, the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence, and Security Co-operation, and the SADC Mutual Defence Pact.

Acknowledging expressions of gratitude from the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Mozambique for SADC’s support, summit commended President Hakainde Hichilema for convening the Extraordinary Organ Summit and his leadership in fostering regional cooperation towards attaining peace, security, and stability in the SADC region.

The Chairperson of the SADC Organ expressed gratitude to all Heads of State and Government for attending the summit and for their commitment and cooperation towards the consolidation of peace and security in the region.

The summit concluded with a strong emphasis on the importance of regional cooperation and solidarity in addressing the challenges to peace and security in Southern Africa.