SADC urges strict adherence to Doha and Washington accords amid rising DRC insecurity
Escalating violence in eastern DRC prompts SADC to reinforce peace accord compliance
- Security
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has convened an emergency virtual summit through its Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, placing eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the center of discussions. Chaired by Malawi’s Vice-President Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, representing President Arthur Peter Mutharika, the meeting underscored the region’s deep concern over deteriorating security conditions.
Regional body calls for renewed commitment to peace initiatives
The SADC Troika meeting, held on June 22, 2026, focused squarely on the intensifying instability in eastern DRC, where ongoing hostilities between armed groups and government forces continue to undermine regional security. Participants warned that the conflict’s escalation poses a direct threat to both national peace and the broader integration efforts of the SADC.
Critical role of Doha and Washington agreements
In a strong reaffirmation of continental peace processes, SADC leaders urgently called for strict adherence to the Doha and Washington accords—frameworks brokered to establish a lasting ceasefire. These agreements, backed by the African Union (AU), were identified as the most viable path toward sustainable stability.
The summit highlighted that respect for ceasefire terms is non-negotiable and emphasized the need for African-led solutions to prevent further deterioration. The communiqué stressed that while international support is valuable, African ownership of peace processes remains essential for long-term resolution.
Regional solidarity and future priorities
The SADC Troika also expressed solidarity with the Congolese people amid a resurgence of Ebola outbreaks in eastern provinces, compounding the humanitarian crisis. Recommendations from the meeting will be presented at the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit, scheduled for August 16–17, 2026, in Durban, South Africa—marking the beginning of South Africa’s one-year presidency of the bloc.
As diplomatic efforts struggle to translate into tangible improvements on the ground, the SADC’s message was clear: all parties must recommit to peace accords or risk deeper regional instability. Observers note, however, that discrepancies in interpreting treaty clauses continue to hinder implementation, leaving the region at a crossroads between renewed conflict and fragile peace.
