SADC regional leaders will once again meet for an extraordinary summit to discuss the ongoing security concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

President Nangolo Mbumba highlighted the crucial role of Namibia's road network in boosting regional trade and economic development during the official opening of the Dr. Hifikepunye Pohamba Freeway.

The Ministers of Defence of SADC and EAC have been directed to meet within 30 days to deliberate on the establishment of a secretariat-level technical coordination mechanism.

This mechanism is expected to monitor the implementation of the joint summit decisions.

Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) have agreed to restart direct talks with both government and non-government groups, including the M23 rebel group, to help resolve the conflict in eastern DRC. 

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is set to convene an extraordinary summit over the deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Turning to regional developments, Namibia and Botswana agreed last year to lower roaming charges between the two countries.

The reduced tariffs aim to make cross-border communication more affordable and foster stronger connections between the two nations.

Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has emphasised value addition to Namibia's resources as part of the long-term plan for the country to become a logistics hub in the SADC region.

US Ambassador to Namibia, Randy Berry, says President Joe Biden's visit to Angola is strategic for SADC, particularly its infrastructure development agenda.

Biden was on a three-day visit to Angola, where he toured the Lobito Corridor, a railway line that stretches from Zambia to the Port of Lobito.

The SADC, African Union, and the African Centre for Governance (ACG) have commended the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) for the peaceful conduct of the elections and efforts to include inmates and diaspora citizens in the voting process.

SADC regional leaders are set to extend the bloc's peacekeeping mission deadline in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the extraordinary summit in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, tomorrow.

The SADC mission deployed to the eastern DRC is set to end in December.