SADC leaders meet in Harare over escalating eastern DRC crisis
The meeting comes just days after the M23 rebel group seized control of Goma, the regional capital, in a dramatic escalation of its years-long insurgency.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is set to hold an emergency summit today in Harare, Zimbabwe, to address the worsening security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi confirmed the extraordinary session of the 16-nation bloc, stating that leaders would deliberate on "matters of Eastern DRC, which is a worrying situation."
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The meeting comes just days after the M23 group seized control of Goma, the regional capital, in a dramatic escalation of its years-long insurgency.
The group now controls large swathes of eastern DRC, deepening instability in the mineral-rich region.
Fatalities
Since Friday last week, at least 16 SADC troops have been killed in the fighting—13 South Africans and three Malawians.
Members of the M23 group supervise the exit of mercenary troops in the streets of Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, amid conflict between them and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), January 29, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
Most casualties were part of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), while at least two South African soldiers were serving under the UN peacekeeping force.
SAMIDRC, deployed in December 2023 to restore order in eastern DRC, consists of approximately 2,900 troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania.
The SADC security committee met virtually on Tuesday to discuss the crisis, and its recommendations are expected to shape Friday's deliberations in Harare.
Tensions Between Rwanda, South Africa
The escalating violence has also deepened diplomatic tensions between South Africa and Rwanda. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that he had spoken twice with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in recent days, urging a ceasefire.
However, Kagame dismissed SAMIDRC's role in the conflict, arguing that it was not a peacekeeping force but a "belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operations" alongside the Congolese army and FDLR, a group Rwanda considers hostile.
"It was authorized by SADC to help the DRC government fight against its own people while working alongside armed groups like the FDLR, which targets Rwanda," Kagame posted on X.
The tensions came to a head during a Wednesday crisis meeting convened by the East African Community (EAC) under Kenyan President William Ruto.
Kagame openly criticised Ramaphosa, accusing him of pretending to be a "peacemaker" while South African forces were actively engaged in combat.
The altercation spilt onto social media after Ramaphosa referred to the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) as a "militia"—a characterization that provoked a swift and direct rebuttal from Kagame.
While the DRC is a member of SADC, Rwanda is not part of the regional bloc, further complicating diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
With the conflict rapidly spiralling, today's SADC summit in Harare is expected to chart the next course of action, including potential reinforcement of regional military efforts in eastern DRC.
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