The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an emergency virtual summit on Monday, June 22, bringing together the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation. The meeting focused on critically assessing the deteriorating security and political conditions in the region, with particular attention to Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Under the leadership of Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, Second Vice President of the Republic of Malawi and representing Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of Malawi and Chair of the SADC Organ, delegates reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding regional peace, consolidating democracy, and promoting stability and integration.

Heightened Concerns in Eastern DRC

The SADC leadership expressed deep alarm over the rapidly worsening security situation in eastern DRC, noting that ongoing instability threatens not only national peace but also regional cooperation efforts. A strong call was made for all parties involved in the conflict to fully honor their commitments under the Doha and Washington agreements, especially those pertaining to ceasefire obligations.

“The Summit expressed its profound concern over the resurgence of the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Congolese people. It also noted the alarming deterioration of the security environment in the region, emphasizing that instability undermines both national peace and regional integration,” the SADC communiqué stated.

The communiqué continued, urging all stakeholders to respect the terms of the Doha and Washington accords, stressing that African-led peace processes—backed by international support—remain essential to achieving lasting stability, resilience, and sustainable peace.

Next Steps: Recommendations for the August Summit

To deepen its engagement, the SADC Troika developed a set of recommendations that will be presented for consideration at the upcoming SADC Heads of State and Government Summit. The 46th Ordinary SADC Summit is scheduled for August 16–17, 2026, in Durban, South Africa, marking the beginning of South Africa’s twelve-month presidency of the regional bloc.

The emergency meeting comes at a time when diplomatic efforts—including the Washington and Doha accords—are being pursued to establish a durable ceasefire and revive dialogue among conflict parties in eastern DRC. Despite these initiatives, however, no tangible progress has been achieved on the ground, as hostilities persist between rebel factions and government forces.

Calls for compliance with peace commitments continue to resonate at national, regional, and international levels, yet tangible results remain elusive. The persistent gap between diplomatic progress and on-the-ground realities underscores the fragility of the peace process. Each party continues to interpret agreement terms in ways that serve their own interests, further complicating the path to sustainable peace.