Harare, (New Ziana)-The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on Wednesday extended the mandate of the military mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by another year.
In December 2023, the REGIONAL bloc deployed the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) to support the DRC government to restore peace and security in the eastern part of that country, where armed groups including the M23 have forced the displacement of more than 6.5 million people.
In a communiqué read by SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi at the close of the Summit, the bloc recommitted itself to addressing the DRC conflict situation and to sieze itself with the political violence in Mozambique.
“Summit extended the mandate of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) by one year, continuing the regional response to address the prevailing unstable security situation in eastern DRC.
“Summit reiterated the regional commitment expressed in the SADC Mutual Defence Pact that, “an armed attack against one shall be deemed a threat to regional peace and security”, and commended Member States for demonstrating the spirit of collective regional solidarity through continued contribution and support to the SAMIDRC.
“Summit commended the SAMIDRC leadership, and all personnel deployed to the Mission for their sacrifices, dedication and commitment towards peace, stability and security in eastern DRC,” it said. The summit also received an update from President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique on the post-election conflict currently unfolding in his country.
“Summit received an update from His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique on the post-election political and security situation in the country and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to work with the Republic of Mozambique in ensuring peace, security and stability through the relevant structures of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Summit extended condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Mozambique for the lives lost during the post-election violence,” it said.
Mozambique has been experiencing political violence after the opposition disputed the preliminary results announced by the National Election Commission (CNE), indicating that the ruling party, FRELIMO, had retained its nearly five-decade stranglehold on power in the country of 35 million people, and took to the streets.
The CNE declared that the ruling party candidate, 47-year-old Daniel Chapo, had won 70 percent of the vote against 20 percent for his nearest rival, independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, while the candidate for the former main opposition and rebel movement Renamo party, Ossufo Momade, came a distant third with about 5 percent.
The violence that followed the announcement of the election results in October has since resulted in the loss of about 30 lives.
New Ziana