Dar es Salaam. Senior officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) convened in Dar es Salaam on July 21, 2025, for a high-level meeting aimed at harmonising regional efforts to address security challenges in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC), the meeting brought together diplomatic and security stakeholders from across the region to deliberate on joint strategies for sustainable peace in eastern DRC, which continues to grapple with instability and armed conflict.
Opening the session, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Dr Samwel Shelukindo, acknowledged that while the SADC region has largely remained stable over the past year, the situation in eastern DRC poses an enduring security gap that requires robust regional and continental cooperation.
He cited the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), deployed in 2023, as a key pillar in supporting DRC’s efforts to restore peace.
However, Dr Shelukindo noted that the resurgence of armed attacks and the mission’s eventual withdrawal underscored the need to transition from military operations to more diplomatic and political interventions.
He pointed to the inaugural joint summit of EAC and SADC leaders held in Dar es Salaam in February 2025 as a critical milestone in aligning the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, with the aim of fostering stronger coordination and unified responses to the DRC crisis.
“The people of eastern DRC deserve lasting peace and stability that will allow them to participate meaningfully in regional integration,” he said, adding that international initiatives led by the United States and Qatar should also be acknowledged and supported.
Dr Shelukindo urged senior security officials to enhance coordination at regional, continental and international levels, stressing the importance of cost-effective and strategic interventions.
He proposed the holding of After-Action Review meetings for SAMIDRC and the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) to reflect on lessons learnt and better prepare for future operations.
The meeting also reviewed threats posed by transnational organised crime, cybercrime, vehicle theft, human trafficking and the illicit drug trade, factors Dr Shelukindo described as major impediments to achieving the SADC Vision 2050.
“These challenges pose significant risks to our development agenda, and it is our collective duty to strengthen regional mechanisms to address them,” he said.
Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, Prof Kula Ishmael Theletsane, also addressed the gathering, urging member states to reinforce cooperation in advancing peace and security as a foundation for regional prosperity.
The meeting of senior officials precedes the 27th Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO), scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam on July 24–25, 2025.
The MCO will be chaired by Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Honourable Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP).
