State heads and representatives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) pose for a group photo during an extraordinary summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Nov. 20, 2024. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, has decided to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by one year amid continued hostilities in the country's eastern region. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
HARARE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, has decided to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by one year amid continued hostilities in the country's eastern region.
The SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) was deployed in 2023 to support the DRC government's quest to restore peace and security in eastern DRC.
A communique issued Wednesday at the end of an extraordinary summit of SADC heads of state and government held in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, noted an escalation of hostilities in eastern DRC despite a ceasefire agreement between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda in August.
The communique said the extension of the peacekeeping mission continues "the regional response to address the prevailing unstable security situation in eastern DRC."
Opening the summit, Zimbabwean President and current SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa said the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC has deteriorated.
"We have a duty to strengthen our resolve and chart a way forward that will see us win this fight for peace and the rights of the people in eastern DRC to a good life and well-being, development, justice as well as strong institutions," he said.
Four other heads of state from Botswana, the DRC, Madagascar, and Mozambique attended the summit, while the majority of leaders from the 16-member regional group sent representatives.
The communique also welcomed the continued efforts of the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council in exploring various options to support the SAMIDRC. ■
