SADC calls for strict adherence to Doha and Washington accords amid eastern DRC security crisis
- Security
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an extraordinary virtual summit of the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation on Monday, June 22, to address the deteriorating security and political situation in the region, with particular focus on Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
SADC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding peace, consolidating democracy, and promoting regional stability and integration. The Troika leaders emphasized the need to strengthen African mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution to preserve collective security.
Heightened concerns over eastern DRC instability
The regional bloc expressed growing alarm over the worsening security climate in eastern DRC, noting that instability threatens not only national peace but also regional cooperation efforts. Participants at the meeting called on all parties involved in the conflict to honor their commitments under the Doha and Washington agreements, including ceasefire provisions.
The SADC communiqué stated: “Regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Summit expressed deep concern over the resurgence of the Ebola epidemic in the eastern part of the country and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Congolese people. It also noted the deterioration of the security situation in the region, emphasizing that instability threatens national peace and regional integration.”
The communiqué continued: “The Summit urged all parties to respect the Doha and Washington accords, particularly the ceasefire provisions, and stressed that African-led peace processes, supported by international efforts, remain essential for achieving lasting stability, resilience, and enduring peace.”
Recommendations to be presented at the next SADC summit
To enhance its involvement in finding solutions, the Troika formulated several recommendations that will be submitted for consideration at the upcoming SADC Heads of State and Government Summit. This will be the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to be hosted by South Africa in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, from August 16 to 17, 2026.
This summit will mark the beginning of South Africa’s one-year presidency of the regional economic community. South Africa currently holds the interim presidency of SADC following the removal of former Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina on October 14, 2025, amid a major political crisis in Madagascar.
The SADC meeting follows diplomatic efforts, including the Washington process and the Doha accords, aimed at establishing a durable ceasefire and reviving dialogue among conflict stakeholders in eastern DRC, which has been mired in conflict for years. However, these initiatives have yet to yield tangible results on the ground, where hostilities continue between rebel factions and government forces.
Despite repeated calls at national, regional, and international levels for adherence to peace commitments, progress remains elusive. The persistent gap between diplomatic progress and on-the-ground realities persists as each party interprets the accords differently, complicating their implementation.
