The 45th SADC Summit has concluded, as regional leaders called for the urgent need for the harmonisation of Africa-led processes with other initiatives to bring about lasting peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In this regard, they welcomed the joint mediation efforts of the African Union Commission, SADC, and the East African Community.

SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said that the process of integrating the Luanda and Nairobi Peace Processes is ongoing.

The recent peace mediation efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump resulted in the adoption of the Washington Accord to end conflict between the DRC and Rwanda and for Rwandese forces to withdraw from the DRC.

Another initiative is the Doha Declaration of Principles for 2025, which calls for a permanent ceasefire and prioritises peaceful means to resolve the conflict. 

The Declaration was made between the government of the DRC and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement during a meeting in Doha, Qatar, in July of this year.

Magosi said the SADC Summit acknowledged the need for complementarity among all the processes in achieving peace.

Namibia’s President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, noted that the ongoing instability threatens to reverse the hard-won gains of peace and development across the region. 

"We must therefore redouble our collective efforts and demonstrate stronger political will to ensure that peace prevails, particularly for the women and children of the DRC, who deserve nothing more than to live peacefully in safety and dignity," she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded the working visit to Madagascar, where she led Namibia’s participation at the 45th SADC Summit, held in the capital Antananarivo.