An extraordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ Troika Summit Plus the Democratic Republic of Congo was held on 27th September 2023) to discuss the political and security issues in the region.
The Organ Troika Summit was attended by:
- His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
- His Excellency Dr. Phillip Isdor Mpango, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, representing Her Excellency President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Incoming Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
- His Excellency Dr Nangolo Mbumba, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, representing His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
- His Excellency Mr. Jean Pierre Bemba, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo, representing His Excellency President Mr Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and the Outgoing Chairperson of SADC.
The meeting was also attended by His Excellency Mr Elias Mpedi Magosi , the SADC Executive Secretary.
Chairperson of the Organ, H.E. President Hichilema underscored the need to safeguard peace, security and stability, as preconditions for accelerating regional integration and socio-economic development.
The Summit received the update on the security situation in the DRC and reiterated its condemnation of the upsurge of conflict and hostile activities of armed groups, including the M23 rebels and ADF terrorist group. In this regard, the Organ Troika Summit discussed the necessary steps and resources required for the deployment of the SADC Mission to the DRC (SAMIDRC) as a regional response to support the DRC in the fight against armed groups to restore peace and security in the eastern DRC.
The Organ Troika Summit also discussed upcoming elections in the region and reiterated SADC’s support to the Member States holding elections to ensure that the elections are peaceful and credible in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).
The following SADC Member States are scheduled to hold elections by the end of this year; General Elections in the Kingdom of Eswatini on 29 September 2023; First Round of Presidential Election in Madagascar on 9 November 2023 and possible Second Round, on 20 December 2023; and Presidential, Legislative and Provincial Elections in the DRC on 20 December 2023.
The overall objective of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation is to promote peace and security in the region and is founded on the region’s determination to achieve peace, solidarity and security through close cooperation on matters of politics, defence and security.
