Harare, (New Ziana) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretary General, Elias Magosi has appealed to the regional body to continue supporting the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).
SAMIDRC was deployed in December last year to support the DRC government to restore peace and security in the eastern part of that country where tens of thousands of lives have been lost and more than six million displaced in a rebel insurgency.
This comes at a time when the northern Kivu province has witnessed an increase in conflicts and instability caused by the resurgence of armed groups including the M23.
Magosi said this in remarks at the opening ceremony of the meeting of Council of Ministers of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation ahead of the SADC Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government scheduled for Wednesday at the New Parliament Building at Mt Hampden in Harare.
He said despite the huge financial commitment by Member States, the deployment of SAMIDRC needs to be undertaken, given the urgency and gravity of the security challenges facing the DRC.
“I wish to reiterate that the deployment of the SAMIDRC signifies SADC’s unwavering commitment towards peace and security in the DRC, and the region at large,” said Magosi.
“I wish to sincerely thank all Member States for their solidarity, sacrifice and support to the mission and, by extension, to people of the DRC”
“However, our goal towards securing peace and security in eastern DRC will only be realised when our Congolese brothers and sisters, who have been internally displaced in large numbers, return safely to their places of origin and live in a secure environment that allows them to build better lives for themselves.”
The SADC secretary general said investing in regional peace and security is a worthwhile investment that transcends any amount of money spent and is a foundation for sustainable development and prosperity of the region.
Magosi said since the deployment of the SAMIDRC, the security situation in the Mission’s area of operation remains relatively calm as a result of a series of political and diplomatic initiatives undertaken over the past four months, including the two-week Humanitarian Truce that was reached in July this year, and a Ceasefire Deal reached between the governments of Rwanda and the DRC on August 4 this year.
“However, the security situation in the eastern part of the DRC remains a source of regional concern requiring constant monitoring,” said Magosi.
New Ziana
