S.African bloc calls for dialogue to restore peace, security in eastern DR Congo

1/2/2025 16:03

The Southern African Development Community on Friday called for dialogue within all parties to restore peace and security in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.



The bloc expressed concern that the recent attacks continued to worsen the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC, said a communique issued at the end of the SADC Heads of State and Government summit held in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.



It condemned the attacks on the SADC Mission in the DRC troops by the M23, an armed group operating in the eastern DRC, saying such actions violated the ceasefire that was brokered through the Luanda Process on July 30, 2024, and undermined peace and security of the DRC and the SADC region.



The regional body called for immediate restoration of essential utilities such as water, electricity, means of communication, and supply lines for food and other essential commodities in the war-torn region.



In his closing remarks, SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa called for lasting peace in the DRC and for all parties to the conflict to embrace dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms.