Tag Archives: East African Community (EAC)

SADC

Regional leaders unite to address DRC security concerns

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

In a significant display of regional solidarity, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi joined fellow heads of state and government from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for a virtual meeting on Monday evening.

The emergency summit, convened to address the escalating security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), brought together key regional leaders to forge a united response to the crisis.

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised the regional blocs for demonstrating a sense of solidarity in the face of adversity.

“It is heartening to see our regional communities coming together to address the security challenges facing the DRC,” President Mnangagwa said.

He added, “This show of unity is a testament to our commitment to peace and stability in the region.”

President William Ruto of Kenya, co-chairperson of the summit, congratulated DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for their commitment to tackling the issues affecting the continent.

“We recognize the critical role that the DRC and Rwanda play in regional stability, and we commend their leaders for their efforts to address the security challenges facing the region,” President Ruto said.

The virtual meeting marked the second joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, following the first meeting convened in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.

The summit aimed to coordinate a regional response to the deteriorating security situation in the DRC, which has raised concerns about the potential for regional instability.

The leaders discussed various strategies for addressing the security challenges in the DRC, including diplomatic efforts, economic cooperation, and regional security initiatives.

They also emphasized the importance of international cooperation and support in addressing the crisis.

As the region continues to grapple with the security challenges facing the DRC, the summit marked an important step towards forging a united regional response.

With the commitment and cooperation of regional leaders, there is hope for a peaceful and stable resolution to the crisis.

The summit’s outcome is expected to have significant implications for regional stability and security.

As the situation in the DRC continues to evolve, the region will be watching closely to see how the commitments made at the summit translate into action on the ground.

In related news, the African Union (AU) has also expressed concern about the security situation in the DRC and has called for a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the crisis.

The AU has offered to support regional efforts to address the security challenges facing the DRC.

As the region moves forward, it is clear that a united and coordinated response will be critical in addressing the security challenges facing the DRC.

With the commitment and cooperation of regional leaders, there is hope for a peaceful and stable resolution to the crisis.

Politics, Regional

Chakwera, SADC endorse DRC peace efforts roadmap

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday evening, March 24, 2025 held high level discussions with fellow Heads of State and Government of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in a joint virtual joint Summit.

The summit which was co-chaired by President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya and Chairperson of the EAC, and his counterpart President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of SADC, was convened to allow the heads to deliberate on a report on the security situation in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which was presented during a similar Joint EAC-SADC Ministerial Meeting, that took place in Harare, Zimbabwe earlier this month.

In his opening remarks Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, thanked the regional blocs for demonstrating a sense of solidarity in the face of adversity, in order to address the security issues in the DRC.

On the other hand, Co-Chairperson of the summit President William Ruto of Kenya, congratulated both Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda-both in attendance-for their commitment to tackling the issues that affect the continent at large.

Meanwhile the joint summit applauded the co-chairpersons for collaborating admirably as they chaired the various summits.

This is the 2nd joint EAC – SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, necessitated by the escalating security status in the DRC.

The first meeting was convened in Dar E’s Salaam on 8th February 2025.

In a communique following the deliberations of the 2nd meeting, the joint summit adopted the report on the state of security in the DRC, with a view to establishing short, medium and long term attainment of “peace and stability” in the DRC.

DRC has been mired in conflict for three decades with the recent conflict surging, following the seizure of the City of Goma in January this year, and at least three other locations by rebels.

Other leaders who were in attendance during Monday’s joint EAC-SADC Summit were President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa; President Samia Hassan Suluhu of Tanzania; President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, among other leaders and representatives.