Nandi-Ndaitwah presses SADC to intensify DRC peace efforts

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the Southern African Development Community (SADC) must remain concerned about persistent security challenges in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), urging redoubled efforts to ensure peace prevails.The eastern DRC continues to face complex security threats rooted in armed conflict, regional instability and humanitarian crises.These are further compounded by climate change impacts, weak governance and mass displacement.Delivering her maiden SADC speech at the 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Madagascar on Sunday, Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that the ongoing instability threatens to reverse hard-won gains of peace and development across the region. “We must therefore redouble our collective efforts and demonstrate stronger political will to ensure that peace prevails, particularly for the women and children of the DRC, who deserve nothing more than to live peacefully in safety and dignity,” she said.The president's remarks follow defence minister Frans Kapofi confirmed earlier this year that Namibia will not deploy troops to the conflict.Kapofi, who represented Namibia at the extraordinary SADC Heads of State summit in Zimbabwe in February, told Nampa at the time that Namibia’s position has remained unchanged: the crisis should be resolved politically by the DRC government.The summit was convened to address escalating violence in eastern DRC, particularly attacks by the M23 armed group in Goma, a city of over two million people. The SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), deployed in December 2023, includes troops from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.Reports indicated that 14 South African soldiers, three Malawians and two Tanzanians had been killed in the conflict at the time. At least 773 people lost their lives, while thousands had been displaced.Condolences extended The Namibian president on Sunday also paid tribute to soldiers serving under SAMIDRC. “I wish to express our profound gratitude to the brave men and women in uniform who have been deployed under the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo," she said."Some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. On behalf of the government and people of Namibia, I extend our sincere condolences to the governments and families of those fallen heroes, whose courage and commitment to the noble cause of peace in our region will never be forgotten. Their courage and sacrifice remind us of the cost of peace and inspire us to keep working for a better tomorrow,” she noted.Collective strength Nandi-Ndaitwah further reminded the summit that SADC was founded as an organ of peace and security for the frontline states. “Similarly, our developmental aspirations cannot be realised without strengthening the infrastructure for peace, security and good governance. These are essential for sustainable and inclusive growth. Without peace, there is no progress, no safety for families, no hope for children and no growth for our economies."She stressed that Africa and the global south are facing economic downturns amid shifting global geopolitics, adding that this is the time for SADC to harness collective strength and resources. “We live in a world which is yearning for peace. This is also the time for us to harness our collective political strength and economic resources for a better world,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Nandi-Ndaitwah presses SADC to intensify DRC peace efforts

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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Nandi-Ndaitwah presses SADC to intensify DRC peace efforts

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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