Online Reporter
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All is set for the SADC Extraordinary Summit that will be held at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden today.
Regional Heads of State and Government are expected to arrive at the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare this morning ahead of the Summit.
SADC Chair President Mnangagwa will preside over the Summit that will deliberate on the security situation in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Our crew is at the Robert Mugabe International Airport and the New Parliament Building to give you live updates as the day progresses.
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SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi already in the country for Summit
SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa met the bloc’s Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi yesterday ahead of the Extraordinary Summit for Heads of State and Government to be held in Harare today.
Mr Magosi was briefing President Mnangagwa on the preparations for today’s meeting and the agenda that will be covered.
“We paid a courtesy call on His Excellency as the Chairperson of SADC. He will be chairing the Extraordinary Summit on Friday (today) to discuss Eastern DRC matters. That is a worrying situation,” Mr Magosi said.
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Security situation in DRC
Some 400 000 people have been displaced in North and South Kivu since the beginning of this year alone, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
Highlighting the humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold, UNHCR spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh reported that “bombs have fallen” on camps for people uprooted by the violence in South and North Kivu.
These attacks include one on 20 January, when explosions at Kitalaga site in South Kivu killed two children.
On 21 January, five makeshift shelters were destroyed in Nzuolo, near Goma, while on Wednesday, Bushagara site – also near Goma – was “heavily impacted, causing panic and new waves of forced displacement”, Mr Saltmarsh told journalists in Geneva.
He noted that heavy bombardments from clashes involving the M23 rebels forced families to flee various displacement sites on the periphery of Goma and try to seek safety within Goma.
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How the M23 emerged
Operating in the North Kivu province, the group takes its name from the March 23 Agreement of 2009 when the DRC government, under President Joseph Kabila — son of Laurent-Desire Kabila — signed a ceasefire treaty with the Tutsi-
majority National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), one of the numerous groups of fighters active since the Second Congo War.
In the agreement, the CNDP was meant to become a political party and its fighters were to integrate into the Congolese military, FARDC.
However, on April 4, 2012, 300 CNDP soldiers revolted, complaining of poor treatment in the army.
They formed the M23, claiming to be fighting for Tutsis’ rights in the DRC.
In late 2012, M23 launched an offensive, seizing Goma and several other towns. A special UN force along with FARDC pushed the rebels back into the eastern hills on the border with Rwanda in 2013.
M23 resurfaced in 2022 with violent attacks and has seized at least four towns in North Kivu.
The group briefly withdrew from occupied towns in January 2023 as part of the Nairobi Peace Process, but the ceasefire fell apart in October.
Fighting between M23 rebels and FARDC erupted again at the beginning of last year.
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East African Community calls for unconditional ceasefire
An emergency East African Community Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, called for “immediate unconditional ceasefire and facilitation of humanitarian access to the affected population” in DRC.
The summit, called by President William Ruto, was held on Wednesday night virtually.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, President Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir attended the meeting.
The meeting also urged the DRC government, led by President Felix Tshisekedi, to directly engage all stakeholders in the conflict, including M23 and other armed groups, to end the rebel assault.
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Scenes at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport ahead of the arrival of SADC Heads of State and Government
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Tanzania’s President, who is also the chairperson of Sadc Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has arrived at Robert Mugabe International Airport.
She is welcomed by Attorney General, Mrs Virginia Mabhiza
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Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has also arrived at the Robert Mugabe International Airport joining other Heads of State and Government for the Extraordinary SADC Summit.
He is being received by National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda.
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MOZAMBIQUE’s President Daniel Chapo has also jetted into the country for the Extra Ordinary Summit.
He is welcomed by Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique Victor Matemadanda.
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Neighbouring country, Botswana’s President Duma Boko has arrived in the country for the Extra Ordinary Summit.
President Boko is received by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi.
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As the clock ticks towards the commencement of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit this afternoon, the atmosphere at the new Parliament is charged with anticipation and optimism.People have gathered eager to catch a glimpse of the arriving Heads of State and Government who will convene to deliberate on pressing regional issues.
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SOUTH AFRICAN President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Harare where he is joining other regional leaders for the SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government.
President Ramaphosa was welcomed by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube.
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Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo has arrived at the new Parliament for the Extra Ordinary Summit.
He is accompanied Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique Victor Matemadanda.
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President of Lesotho Sam Matekane has arrived at the new Parliament for the SADC extraordinary summit.
He was accompanied by the the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe and they were welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira.
Tanzania’s President and SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation chairperson Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has arrived at the new Parliament for the SADC extraordinary summit.
She was accompanied by Attorney General Attorney General Virginia Mabhiza and they were welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira
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Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has arrived at the new Parliament joining other SADC Heads of State. He was accompanied by National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda and were welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
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SADC Leaders Arrive for Extraordinary Summit
A sense of urgency and anticipation fills the air as SADC Heads of State arrive at the new Parliament for the extraordinary summit.
Sirens wail as sleek motorcades glide through tight security. Flags of member states ripple in the breeze, lining the grand entrance.
Dignitaries step onto the red carpet, greeted with firm handshakes and flashes of cameras. The Parliament’s modern façade gleams under the afternoon sun, a symbol of regional unity. Inside, hushed conversations and determined expressions set the tone.
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The singing of the Zimbabwe National Anthem is underway
Now people are singing the SADC national anthem
Introduction of the SADC Heads of State and other representatives currently underway
Among them HE Ramaphosa (SA), HE Duma Boko (Botswana), HE Daniel Chapo (Mozambique), PM Matekani (Eswatini), HE Rajoelina Madagascar. HE Tshisekedi (DRC) will participate virtually
Elias Magosi Executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community is now delivering his welcome remarks
He says the meeting has been convened to discuss the deteriorating situation in Eastern DRC
Elias Magosi applauded President Mnangagwa for convening the meeting at a short notice
He says the presence of Heads of State at the meeting shows their concern for peace in the region
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He begins by welcoming the Heads of State back to Zimbabwe to discuss the situation in Eastern DRC.
The President expressed gratitude to the Heads of State for attending the meeting at short notice.
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SADC executive secretary calls for global cooperation to address DRC security crisis
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi has stressed the need for increased international collaboration to tackle the worsening security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Speaking at the SADC extraordinary summit in
Harare, Magosi said there were challenges facing the DRC, particularly in the eastern regions.
He called for stronger partnerships to restore peace.
“Security cannot be achieved in isolation. The DRC, our region and the international community must come together to confront these challenges,” Magosi said. He said it was necessary to dismantle the economic power of armed groups destabilising the region.
Magosi said the December 2023 summit as a crucial moment for advancing peace efforts.
“We will continue to engage our partners to support the Government of the DRC in its fight for stability,” he said.
SADC Chair, His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa officially opens the Extraordinary Summit
On behalf of SADC and people of Zimbabwe, the SADC Chair conveyed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in eastern DRC
The gathering rises to observe a moment of silence at the instigation of the President.
“We meet today to seek lasting solutions to the situation in the Eastern DRC,” he said.
Member states will continue to do all they can to restore peace and order in the DRC, he said.
Let us not overlook the humanitarian crises as it should not be ignored, said the SADC Chair.
SADC’s resolve to ensure collective peace will not be shaken
“Our region stands ready to intensify efforts,” he said, adding that the peace and security of the region is a collective responsibility
He concludes his speech. Closed session begins.
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SADC leaders commit to lasting peace in Eastern DRC
Ivan Zhakata
SADC leaders are gathered in Harare for an Extraordinary Summit to address the escalating security and humanitarian crisis in Eastern DRC.
Hosted at New Parliament, the summit reaffirmed the regional bloc’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in the conflict-ridden region.
In his opening remarks, SADC chairperson, President Mnangagwa commended Member States and the SADC Secretariat for their unwavering support in ensuring collective security.
He acknowledged the extension of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and said there was a need for continued backing of the troops on the ground.
“The people of Eastern DRC have suffered for far too long,” President Mnangagwa said.
“While we mourn our losses, our resolve to ensure peace and stability remains unshaken. The importance of dialogue and peacebuilding must be boldly pursued.”
The summit also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, with millions of internally displaced persons facing severe hardships.
President Mnangagwa called on International Cooperating Partners to increase support for relief efforts and said more must be done to alleviate the suffering.
“Our political will must be strengthened. We must engage in frank and fact-based deliberations to ensure lasting peace.”
The Extraordinary Summit follows a recent Troika meeting in Dar es Salaam, led by Tanzanian President Samia Hassan, which laid the groundwork for a united regional response.
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SADC leaders discuss lasting peace in Eastern DRC
Ivan Zhakata
SADC leaders are gathered in Harare for an Extraordinary Summit to address the escalating security and humanitarian crisis in Eastern DRC.
Hosted at New Parliament, the Summit reaffirmed the regional bloc’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in the conflict-ridden region.
In his opening remarks, SADC chairperson, President Mnangagwa commended Member States and the SADC Secretariat for their unwavering support in ensuring collective security.
He acknowledged the extension of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and said there is need for continued backing of the troops on the ground.
“The people of Eastern DRC have suffered for far too long,” President Mnangagwa said.
“While we mourn our losses, our resolve to ensure peace and stability remains unshaken. The importance of dialogue and peacebuilding must be boldly pursued.”
The Summit also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, with millions of internally displaced persons facing severe hardships.
President Mnangagwa called on international cooperating partners to increase support for relief efforts and said more must be done to alleviate the suffering.
“Our political will must be strengthened. We must engage in frank and fact-based deliberations to ensure lasting peace.”
The Extraordinary Summit follows a recent Troika meeting in Dar es Salaam, led by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which laid the groundwork for a united regional response.
Hosted at New Parliament, the Summit reaffirmed the regional bloc’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in the conflict-ridden region.
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The official closing of the SADC extraordinary summit has begun
SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi now reading the communique
He says summit expressed condolences to DRC, SA and Tanzania for the loss of the troops
Summit to deploy its peace keeping mission to the DRC to ensure peace
Summit reaffirms it’s support to DRC for peace and reconciliation
Summit called for an immediate dispatch of Ministers of Defence to ensure to ensure repatriation of the deceased troops
Summit reaffirms it’s support and solidarity to DRC
Summit thanks President Mnangagwa for convening the Summit and for his visionary leadership its leading the regional bloc
President Mnangagwa SADC chair now delivering the closing remarks
I’m an confident that the decision made today will find solution to ensure peace in DRC
The commitment we made today will be actioned
Reiterated my profound gratitude to our troops who have sustained the way in DRC
I would want to pay homage to our troops who lost their lives in DRC
President thanked the Heads of State who attended the SADC extraordinary summit and declared the meeting officially end
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SADC pledges support for peace efforts
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has strongly condemned actions threatening regional peace and security and has reaffirmed its commitment to stability and humanitarian assistance.
In a communiqué delivered by SADC executive secretary Mr Elias Magosi after an extraordinary summit, the regional bloc expressed its “deepest condolences” for those affected by ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other troubled regions.
“The summit denounced all acts of destabilisation and reaffirmed its support for diplomatic and peacekeeping efforts to restore order,” said MrMagosi.
He said urgency was needed in addressing security and humanitarian challenges, including disruptions to food supply lines and essential services.
SADC also reaffirmed its decision to deploy a peace and security mission to support affected communities.
“The deployment aims to safeguard regional stability and reinforce efforts toward lasting peace,” Mr Magosi said.
He said diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation were key in resolving conflicts.
“SADC calls on all stakeholders to work towards sustainable solutions that ensure peace, security and economic development,” Mr Magosi said.
