Luanda - The Southern African Development Community (SADC) held an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on Wednesday in Harare, Zimbabwe, dedicated to the analysis of the security situation and the conflict in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Angolan President of the Republic, João Lourenço, was represented by the Minister of Defence, Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, João Ernesto dos Santos 'Liberdade', who presented to the Summit of the Troika of the Body and the Contributing Countries with Personnel, at the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIRDC) a report on the ongoing mediation, within the framework of the so-called Luanda Process'.
During his speech, the head of the Angolan Delegation highlighted that the Luanda Process is at a crucial stage, insofar as, 'despite the ceasefire in force', there are continuous violations by the Armed Groups, in particular the actions and hostilities perpetrated by the M23.
He said that this group continues to occupy vast tracts of Congolese territory in the province of North Kivu, having appointed local chiefs and administrators in some of these occupied areas, which constitutes an attack on the territorial integrity of the DRC.
However, he praised the significant progress achieved in the mediation process since August 2024, namely the Elaboration of the Harmonized Plan for the Neutralization of the FDLR and the Force Disengagement/Review of Rwandan Security Measures, as well as the Concept of Operations (CONOPs).
The latter is a key player in the implementation of the aforementioned Plans and which are expected to be adopted at the ministerial meeting scheduled for 25 this month in Luanda.
During the SADC Extraordinary Summit, chaired by Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe and acting of the organization, the Heads of State and Government considered and approved the extension of SAMIRDC's mandate by one year, until 15 December 2025, and its financial implications.
The Summit considered the consolidation of democracy in the SADC region and the elected processes in the Republics of Botswana, Mauritius and Mozambique, and in relation to the latter, received a detailed report on the post-electoral political and security situation prevailing in this Indian Ocean country, since the elections of October 9.
The Summit congratulated and welcomed Duma Gideon Boko, President-elect of Botswana, following elections on 30 October.
The Angolan delegation included Altino Carlos José dos Santos, Chief of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), Ambassador Jorge Catarino Cardoso, Director of Africa, Middle East and Regional Organizations of MIREX, among other diplomats.
The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is responsible for the overall political orientation of the region and for monitoring the functioning of the organization, and is ultimately responsible for formulating policies that ensure the stability and development of the sixteen (16) member states. ART/DOJ
