COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE
EXTRA-ORDINARY ORGAN TROIKA SUMMIT, PLUS SADC TROIKA, SAMIDRC TROOPS CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES, SAMIM PERSONNEL CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND THE REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE
23RD MARCH 2024
- The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ Troika Plus SADC Troika, Troops Contributing Countries to the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), Personnel Contributing Countries to the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Mozambique, hereafter called Summit was held on the 23rd March 2024.
- Summit was officially opened and chaired by His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
- Summit was attended by the following SADC Heads of State and Government and/or their representatives:
| Angola: | H.E. President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço |
| Democratic Republic of Congo: | H.E. President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo |
| Malawi: | H.E. President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera |
| Mozambique: | H.E. President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi |
| Zambia: | H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema |
| Zimbabwe: | President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa |
| Kingdom of Lesotho: | The Right Honourable the Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane |
| Namibia: | H.E. the Vice President Dr. Netumbo Nandi- Ndaitwah |
| United Republic of Tanzania: | H.E. the Vice President, Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango |
| Botswana: | Honourable Thomas K. Mmusi, Minister of Defence and Security |
| South Africa: | Honourable Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister in the Presidency |
4. The Executive Secretary of SADC also attended the Summit.
5. Summit expressed condolences to the Republic of Namibia on the passing of H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the third President of the Republic of Namibia; to the United Republic of Tanzania on the passing of H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the second President of the United Republic of Tanzania; and to the Republic of South Africa on the death of two South African National Defence Force soldiers who were killed in an attack in Goma, Eastern DRC, whilst serving under SAMIDRC.
6. Summit commemorated the Southern Africa Liberation Day, which falls on 23rd March every year, with the statement by the SADC Chairperson, His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, highlighting the historical significance of the liberation struggle and re-affirming SADC’s commitment to the ideals of solidarity, self-determination, and regional cooperation.
7. Summit received updates on the peace and security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Mozambique and reiterated SADC’s support to the two Governments towards attaining lasting peace, stability and security.
8. Summit commended Troop Contributing Countries and expressed its appreciation to the men and women deployed in the SAMIM and SAMIDRC for their dedicated service towards preserving peace and security in the region.
9. Summit reiterated the regional commitment expressed in the SADC Mutual Defence Pact that, “an armed attack against one shall be deemed a threat to regional peace and security”, and commended Member States for demonstrating the spirit of collective regional solidarity through their continued contribution and support to SAMIM and SAMIDRC.
10. Summit reiterated its support to the political and diplomatic processes namely, the Luanda Process, led by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa, and the Nairobi Process, led by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya.
11. Summit expressed gratitude to the African Union Commission and the United Nations Security Council for the solidarity and support towards the SAMIDRC, which is a SADC regional response complementing other on-going diplomatic and political processes in support of the Government of the DRC.
12. Summit reiterated its unwavering commitment to provide both diplomatic and military support to the Government and people of the DRC to find lasting solutions to the violent conflict in Eastern DRC; and pledged to intensify its public diplomacy on the role and successes of the SADC Peace Support Missions, including the SAMIM and SAMIDRC, to avoid negative external narratives that may compromise the success of the SADC Peace Support Missions.
13. Summit disapproved of the contents of the correspondence from the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations and African Union Commission concerning support to SAMIDRC.
14. Summit reiterated that the deployment of SAMIDRC is to restore the peace and security of the DRC and that it is aligned to the SADC Treaty, the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation and the SADC Mutual Defence Pact.
15. Summit acknowledged the respective expressions of gratitude from His Excellency Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique for SADC’s unwavering support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Mozambique to restore peace and security.
16. Summit commended His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and the Chairperson of the SADC Organ, for convening the Extraordinary Organ Summit and for his leadership in fostering regional cooperation towards attaining peace, security and stability in the SADC region.
17. The Chairperson of the SADC Organ, His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, expressed gratitude to all Heads of State and Government for attending the Summit and for their commitment and cooperation towards the consolidation of peace and security in the region.
Done on 23rd March 2024
Lusaka, Republic of Zambia
