SADC leaders convene virtual summit amid escalating DRC conflict

Southern African leaders gathered virtually on Thursday to address the intensifying conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on both the deteriorating security situation and the performance of the SADC mission in the region.

During the summit, SADC executive secretary Elias Magoso outlined recent setbacks, noting that the mission—sent to the eastern DRC in December 2023 to help restore peace—has suffered significant casualties.

South Africa, which contributes the bulk of the deployment estimated at over 1,000 troops, lost 14 soldiers in January, while three Malawian troops in the SADC contingent were also killed. Some of these losses occurred during operations conducted by the SADC mission, SAMIDRC, with additional casualties reported from a separate United Nations peacekeeping mission.

The virtual meeting, involving leaders from all 16 SADC member nations, comes amid a rapidly evolving conflict. The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has made significant territorial gains since January, seizing key cities such as Goma and Bukavu in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.

In response, Angola announced late Wednesday that peace talks between the DRC government and M23 will commence next Tuesday in Luanda. Angolan President Joao Lourenco recently met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, following previous reluctance by Tshisekedi to engage with the rebel group as encouraged by Rwanda.

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, serving as SADC chairperson, called for a "greater sense of urgency" to resolve the conflict. He stressed that an inclusive dialogue is essential to prevent the unrest from spilling over and destabilizing the wider region, and he welcomed the timely review of the SAMIDRC mandate.

While officials did not disclose the full size of the multinational military deployment—further bolstered by contributions from Tanzania—the summit underscored growing regional concern. Reports indicate that some South African soldiers are reportedly confined to their base by M23 fighters, intensifying calls for a reassessment of the mission’s strategy.

UN experts have suggested that Rwanda maintains roughly 4,000 troops in eastern DRC to support M23, a claim Rwanda denies. Meanwhile, the DRC government asserts that the M23 offensive has claimed more than 7,000 lives since the start of 2025, although these figures have not been independently verified.

As the SADC bloc continues its efforts to stabilize the situation, the summit reflects a concerted push by regional leaders to coordinate a diplomatic and military response that could pave the way for broader peace talks and ultimately, a resolution to the conflict.

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