While the southern African region remains peaceful and stable, there are still security challenges in some parts of the SADC that require an effective response.

Promoting peace and security within the SADC region topped the agenda at the Extra Ordinary Troika Summit in Lusaka, Zambia.

Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was among the attendees.

The Troika took stock and tracked progress on the situation in the Cabo Delgado province of northern Mozambique as well as the northern Kivu province in eastern DRC, marred by instability over the years. 

The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation has recommended the deployment of regional forces within the framework of the bloc's standby force to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The two-day Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit, plus the SADC Troika and Force Intervention Brigade, and FIB Troop Contributing Countries, ended in Windhoek.

The deployment is a regional response to support the DRC in restoring peace and security in the eastern part of the country.

The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Ministerial Committee plus the SADC Troika and FIB countries met in preparation of the summit to be chaired by President Hage Geingob on Monday.

The Extraordinary Organ Troika summit, plus the SADC Troika and Force Intervention Brigade and FIB troop-contributing countries, is expected to also consider the report of the SADC Field Assessment Mission, which took place this year in the DRC.

The SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security says the SADC Mission in Mozambique has instituted investigations into a video clip in which soldiers are seen throwing the bodies of deceased people into a pile of burning rubble.

The video has since gone viral, sparking condemnation from different quarters of society in SADC.

The chairperson of the Organ and Namibian President Hage Geingob says the region does not condone the acts shown in the viral video.

The Chairperson of the SADC Panel of Elders, Jakaya Kikwete, will be leading missions to member states in a bid to find lasting solutions to conflicts in the region.

In New York, former Tanzanian President Kikwete met with President Hage Geingob, who is also the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security.

The SADC countries to be visited are Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique.