SADC urges strict compliance with Doha and Washington accords in eastern DRC
SADC demands adherence to Doha and Washington accords in eastern DRC as security deteriorates
- Security
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), led by Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, Second Vice President of the Republic of Malawi and representing Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi and Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, convened an extraordinary virtual summit of the Organ Troika on Monday, June 22, 2026. The meeting focused on assessing the security and political situations in the region, with particular attention to Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The regional bloc reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding peace, strengthening democracy, and fostering stability and regional integration. SADC leaders emphasized the need to reinforce African mechanisms for crisis prevention and resolution to preserve collective security.
Growing concern over DRC’s eastern security situation
SADC expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security conditions in eastern DRC, noting that instability not only threatens national peace but also undermines regional integration and cooperation efforts. Participants urged all parties involved in the conflict to honor commitments made under the Doha and Washington accords, particularly those related to ceasefire agreements.
The Summit also highlighted resurgence of the Ebola epidemic in eastern DRC, reaffirming solidarity with the Congolese people. It acknowledged that the escalation of violence in the region jeopardizes both national stability and regional peace.
“Regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the SADC communiqué stated, “the Summit expressed profound concern over the resurgence of the Ebola epidemic in the eastern part of the country and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Congolese people. It also noted the deterioration of the security situation in the region, emphasizing that instability threatens national peace and regional integration.”
The communiqué continued, “The Summit urged all parties to respect the Doha and Washington accords, particularly the ceasefire provisions, and stressed that African-led peace processes, supported by international efforts, remain essential for achieving lasting stability, resilience, and enduring peace.”
Recommendations to be presented at the upcoming SADC summit
To enhance its role in finding solutions, the Troika of the Organ formulated several recommendations that will be submitted for consideration at the next SADC Heads of State and Government Summit. This will be the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), hosted by South Africa from August 16 to 17, 2026, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province.
This summit will mark the beginning of South Africa’s 12-month presidency of the regional economic community. South Africa currently holds the interim SADC presidency following the ousting of former Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina on October 14, 2025, amid a major political crisis in Madagascar.
The SADC meeting comes at a time when diplomatic efforts, including the Washington agreements and the Doha process, are underway to establish a durable ceasefire and revive dialogue among conflict stakeholders in eastern DRC. However, these initiatives have yet to yield tangible results on the ground, where clashes persist between rebel factions and government forces.
Amid this situation, voices continue to call at national, regional, and international levels for all stakeholders to honor the commitments made under peace initiatives. Yet, these appeals have so far had little effect. Bridging the gap between diplomatic progress and ground realities remains a challenge as each party interprets the accords differently, further complicating their implementation.
