The Southern African Development Community (SADC) presidents have ordered phased withdrawal of their troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In an official statement following the Heads of State and Government summit on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Harare, Zimbabwe, where they deliberated on the security situation in the DRC, Chairperson of SADC Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa stated that they had agreed to terminate the mandate of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of its troops from the country.

“Summit terminated the mandate of SAMIDRC and directed the commencement of a phased withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops from the DRC,” Mnangagwa said.

Mnangagwa further emphasised SADC’s commitment to addressing the ongoing conflict in the DRC and reaffirmed its dedication to supporting interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security to Eastern DRC, in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003.

In addition, Mnangagwa stated that the Heads of State during the summit reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as sustainable peace, security, and development.

“Summit emphasised its dedication to addressing the ongoing conflict in the DRC and reaffirmed its commitment to support interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security in the Eastern DRC, in line with the SADC Mutual Defence Pact of 2003,” he said.

“Summit reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its pursuit of safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as sustainable peace, security and development.

Reiterating the importance of a political and diplomatic solution involving all parties to restore peace, security, and stability in the country, Mnangagwa stated that they had also reaffirmed the decision made during the joint Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and SADC to merge the Luanda and Nairobi processes, as well as to include more facilitators to strengthen the peace-building efforts.

“Summit reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic solution with all parties, including state and non-state parties, military and non-military, in the Eastern DRC for the restoration of peace, security, and tranquility in the country,” he added.

“Summit further reiterated the decision from the joint Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and SADC to merge the Luanda and Nairobi processes and include more facilitators to enhance the peace-building process.

Peace talks in DRC

On Monday, February 24, 2025, former President Uhuru Kenyatta was nominated to spearhead peace talks in DRC.

This follows the Joint Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the SADC and the East African Community (EAC) and is co-chaired by Zimbabwe President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto.

Uhuru will work alongside former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Bosh as facilitators of the EAC-SADC peace process (the merged Luanda and Nairobi processes) in Eastern DRC.

COMMUNIQUÉ

OF THE EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

HELD ON 13 March 2025
HARARE, ZIMBABWE pic.twitter.com/PtIulXvUE0

— SADC Secretariat (@SADC_News) March 13, 2025