Zimbabwe is set to host an Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Friday, focusing on the escalating security crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The summit, convened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his capacity as SADC chairperson, will bring together heads of state and government from the 16-member regional bloc to discuss peace efforts in the conflict-ridden region.

The announcement follows an earlier summit held by the East African Community (EAC) on Wednesday, as regional leaders continue to seek a diplomatic resolution to the persistent unrest in the DRC.

In a video shared by Zimbabwe’s government on X (formerly Twitter), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, confirmed the high-level meeting.

“This extraordinary summit is going to be on the eastern DRC problem. As you know, there are negative developments in the east of the DRC – a lot of violence and conflict. You would remember that His Excellency (Mnangagwa) hosted another summit on this matter, and that summit was to extend the mission of SAMIDRC [SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo].”
Professor Amon Murwira

He emphasized that the summit will serve as a platform for regional leaders to deliberate and make decisive resolutions on peace initiatives for eastern DRC.

“Now the extraordinary summit is for heads of state and government to debate and make decisions on the peace efforts for the eastern DRC. We are expecting heads of state and government from all SADC countries to come. This summit is going to be on Friday, January 31, 2025.”
Professor Amon Murwira

The Zimbabwean government has been making extensive preparations to ensure the success of the summit. He further noted that instability in any part of the SADC region undermines economic development and progress, reinforcing the urgency of diplomatic intervention.

The conflict in eastern DRC has persisted for decades, fueled by armed groups and geopolitical interests. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with thousands displaced and violence escalating. The summit aims to assess the effectiveness of SAMIDRC and explore potential diplomatic and security solutions.

Calls for Diplomacy Over Conflict

Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member, Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi urged South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to prioritize peace efforts over hostilities. Addressing concerns over growing tensions in the region, Ndlozi issued a stern warning on X, cautioning against the dire consequences of further escalation.

“There is absolutely no need for a violent confrontation between South Africa and Rwanda. We DO NOT need another version of the Second Congo War (Great War of Africa) which saw over 5 million casualties. The deadliest conflict since WWII.”
Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi

Ndlozi called on African leaders to exercise restraint and work toward peaceful solutions. “Anyone who loves Africa will advocate for nothing less!” he emphasized.

He further warned that prolonged conflict would serve external interests rather than benefiting Africans, stating, “Only Western, maybe even Eastern imperialists profit out of war – they own the means of producing weapons, ammunition, and all relevant war equipment and gear.”

Additionally, he reiterated South Africa’s mandate as a peacekeeping force, stressing that the country should align its actions with international law. “South Africa must keep the conversation on the terms of its mandate under international law – it is part of a PEACEKEEPING mission.”

Ndlozi insisted that if South Africa’s role as a neutral peacekeeping force had been compromised, it must acknowledge the situation and step back. “Peace, nothing else, but peace, is the central objective and most derivable outcome.”

His calls come amid increasing scrutiny from the international community, which continues to monitor the volatile situation in the DRC. As the SADC summit approaches, expectations are high that regional leaders will prioritize diplomacy and cooperation to mitigate further instability.