SADC urges strict adherence to Doha and Washington accords amid eastern DRC insecurity

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has convened an emergency virtual meeting to address the escalating security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasizing the urgent need for all parties to uphold the Doha and Washington peace agreements.

Chaired by Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, Malawi’s second vice-president representing President Arthur Peter Mutharika, the SADC’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Troika meeting focused on reviewing regional security and political developments, particularly in Madagascar and the DRC. The regional bloc reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding peace, strengthening democracy, and promoting stability across the continent.

Critical security concerns in eastern DRC

The SADC leadership expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, warning that instability not only threatens national peace but also undermines regional integration efforts. The meeting participants called for strict compliance with ceasefire commitments outlined in the Doha and Washington accords, which remain central to ongoing peace initiatives.

Ebola resurgence and conflict dynamics

In addition to the security crisis, the SADC noted the resurgence of the Ebola epidemic in eastern DRC, further straining the region’s stability. The regional body reiterated its solidarity with the Congolese people while stressing that the renewed instability jeopardizes both national and regional peacebuilding efforts.

The SADC’s Troika urged all stakeholders to prioritize the implementation of the Doha and Washington agreements, highlighting the critical role of African-led peace processes in achieving lasting stability. The commitments made under these accords remain essential for fostering resilience and sustainable peace in the region.

Path forward: recommendations ahead of SADC summit

The Troika formulated key recommendations to be presented at the upcoming SADC Heads of State and Government Summit. Scheduled for August 16–17, 2026, in Durban, South Africa, this summit marks the beginning of South Africa’s one-year presidency of the regional bloc. South Africa currently holds interim SADC leadership following Madagascar’s political crisis in October 2025, which led to the removal of former President Andry Rajoelina.

The SADC’s emergency meeting follows persistent diplomatic efforts—including the Washington and Doha processes—to establish a durable ceasefire and revive dialogue among conflict parties in eastern DRC. However, these initiatives have yet to translate into tangible progress on the ground, as hostilities between rebels and government forces continue unabated. Calls for compliance with peace agreements have so far yielded limited results, with each party interpreting the accords differently, further complicating their implementation.

The persistent gap between diplomatic progress and ground realities underscores the urgent need for renewed action to bridge this divide. The SADC’s upcoming summit will be a pivotal moment for advancing regional solutions to the DRC’s protracted conflict.