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 residents of Ocean View and Mile 4 in Swakopmund have expressed concern over the rapid mushrooming of informal shacks in the settlement of DRC, on the outskirts of the coastal town.

These concerns were raised by the residents during a consultative meeting organized over the weekend by the Swakopmund municipality.

Over the past years, a significant number of people have been flocking to Swakopmund, driven by the pursuit of opportunities in the mining and tourism sectors. Consequently, this has led to a surge in the number of shacks within informal settlements.

The security situation in the SADC region is said to be stable despite conflicts in the DRC and Mozambique.

SADC Executive Secretary General Elias Magosi made the statement during the 25th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics.

The 25th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics will deploy the SADC Force Brigade Plus to the DRC to address the security situation in that country.

The Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ and Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, made the announcement during the opening of the organ meeting in Windhoek.

The ongoing armed conflict in the DRC has affected thousands of families and created a humanitarian crisis.

A 19-member delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) various institutions responsible for the road sector is in the country to tap Namibia's technical skills in road maintenance.

Due to the quality of the road infrastructure in Namibia, the DRC delegation saw it fit to undertake a benchmarking exercise to learn from Namibia.

The delegation will look at road construction techniques, funding of road infrastructure, and maintenance.

SADC has proposed that the issue of the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) be escalated to the African Union and the United Nations.

President Hage Geingob, who is also the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, said this during a visit from Huang Xia at the State House.

Huang is the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region.

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.

Namibia has 2,100 US$-millionaires, and its millionaire population is expected to grow by 60% or more over the next decade, up to 2032.

Rwanda, Zambia, Seychelles, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Morocco are also expected to grow at the same rate as Namibia.

This is according to the just-published Africa Wealth Report 2023, which places South Africa as home to the majority of millionaires at 37,800 and five billionaires, followed by Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco.

A lack of water and poor sanitation are affecting the quality of life for the less privileged residents of Swakopmund. 

This was said by the Mayor of Swakopmund, Dina Namubes during the handing over of 57 mobile toilet facilities at DRC.

Namubes says the availability of these toilets will help fight diseases and preserve the health and well-being of the residents.

"The results of these poor personal hygiene practices often lead to exposure to diseases and unwanted illnesses. Therefore, as per our mandate to provide basic services to our community."

The African Union Peace and Security Council says political will, from all parties is key to the effective implementation of Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework in the DRC.

The Peace and Security Council discussed the deteriorating situation in eastern DRC ahead of the 36th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government which ended in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia today.

 The Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC was signed ten years ago to usher in peace, security, stability and development in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region.