Eastern DRC: SADC urges strict compliance with Doha and Washington peace agreements backed by the African Union
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an extraordinary virtual summit of the Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on June 22, 2026, chaired by Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, Second Vice-President of Malawi, representing President Arthur Peter Mutharika.
This high-level meeting, held against a backdrop of rising instability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), focused on assessing the region’s political and security situation, with particular attention to Madagascar and the ongoing conflict in the DRC.
SADC reaffirms commitment to peace and regional security
The SADC leadership underscored its dedication to “safeguarding peace, consolidating democracy, and promoting stability and regional integration.” In light of escalating violence in eastern DRC, the regional bloc emphasized the urgent need to reinforce African-led crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms to protect collective security.
Concerns over deteriorating security in eastern DRC
The SADC expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in eastern DRC, warning that instability not only threatens national peace but also undermines regional cooperation efforts. Participants called on all parties involved in the conflict to uphold their commitments under the Doha and Washington agreements, particularly ceasefire provisions.
“Regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Summit expressed grave concern over the resurgence of Ebola in the east and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Congolese people. It also noted the deterioration of the security situation in the region, stressing that instability threatens both national peace and regional integration,” the SADC statement read.
The bloc further stressed that African-led peace processes, supported by international efforts, remain essential to achieving lasting stability, resilience, and sustainable peace in the region.
Recommendations to be presented at next SADC summit
The Troika formulated several key recommendations, which will be submitted for consideration at the upcoming 46th Ordinary SADC Summit, scheduled to take place in Durban, South Africa, from August 16 to 17, 2026.
This summit will mark the beginning of South Africa’s one-year presidency of the regional economic bloc, following the interim presidency held since October 14, 2025, when Madagascar’s former president Andry Rajoelina was removed from office amid a major political crisis.
Diplomatic efforts still await concrete results
The SADC meeting follows ongoing diplomatic initiatives, including the Washington and Doha processes, aimed at establishing a durable ceasefire and reviving dialogue among stakeholders in the long-standing conflict plaguing eastern DRC. However, these efforts have yet to yield tangible progress on the ground, where hostilities between rebel groups and government forces continue unabated.
Calls from national, regional, and international actors for adherence to peace agreements have so far had little effect. The gap between diplomatic progress and ground realities persists, as conflicting parties interpret agreement terms differently, delaying their implementation.
