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    Six SADC leaders in Zimbabwe to discuss DRC conflict

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    Harare, (New Ziana) –Heads of State and Government from
    six Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries were in
    Harare on Friday for an extra ordinary summit to discuss the escalating
    security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where
    the M23 rebels overran the city of Goma this week.

    During the offensive to take over Goma, the M23 rebels killed sixteen
    peacekeepers deployed under the SADC Mission on the DRC (SAMIDRC) as
    well as one under the United Nations.

    The extra ordinary summit was being held at the New Parliament Building
    in the new city of Mt Hampden, about 18 kilometers north west of Harare.

    Leaders in attendance physically included Zimbabwean President Emmerson
    Mnangagwa who is the SADC chairperson, Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa of
    South Africa, Daniel Chapo of Mozambique, Andri Rajoelina of Madagascar,
    Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan and Duma Boko of Botswana.

    Presidents Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, João Lourenço of Angola and the
    DRC’s Etienne Tshisekedi joined the summit virtually while the remaining
    member states sent representatives.

    The 16 peacekeepers killed during the fighting include thirteen from
    South Africa and three from Malawi deployed under SAMIDRC as well as one
    from Paraguay under the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation
    Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).

    South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania are the three SADC member states
    contributing troops to SAMIDRC.

    Opening the summit, President Mnangagwa expressed regret that since the
    last SADC summit on the eastern DRC, the region is characterised by
    escalating hostilities and conflict.

    “This culminated in the unfortunate and atrocious attacks carried out on
    our Mission in Goma, that claimed the lives of several SAMIDRC and
    MONUSCO peacekeepers, while others sustained serious injuries,” he said
    as he asked the summit to observe a minute of silence in honour of
    people that have died in the conflict.

    “May we, as Member States, continue to do all we can to support our
    gallant men and women in the theatre of operations, and ensure that
    SAMIDRC achieves its important objective.”

    He emphasised the importance of dialogue and peace building for the
    benefit of the people of the eastern DRC and said SADC is ready to
    intensify efforts to protect its citizens from all forms of instability.

    “I, therefore, call upon us all to leverage on this important meeting by
    engaging in frank and fact-based deliberations. Our political-will must
    be strengthened towards a concrete and actionable roadmap that will help
    accelerate the realisation of peace in the eastern DRC,” he said.

    In his introductory remarks SADC secretary general Elias Magosi said the
    M23 attacks on SAMIDRC and the armed forces of the DRC (FARDC) bases had
    come against the backdrop of an agreed ceasefire brokered by President
    Laurenco of Angola, who is also the African Union Champion for Peace and
    Reconciliation in Africa.

    “Your Excellencies, in the last few weeks, we have witnessed intensified
    attacks by the M23 armed group on SAMIDRC and the Armed Forces of the
    DRC (FARDC) bases leading to the loss of 70 lives including the 16 of
    the SAMIDRC,” he said.

    He said as of Friday, the SAMIDRC troops had successfully defended their
    positions despite the devastating attacks on their operational bases.

    New Ziana

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