Eastern DRC crisis deepens as SADC pressures parties to honor Doha and Washington agreements
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an extraordinary virtual summit on June 22, 2026, under the leadership of Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, Malawi’s second vice-president and representative of President Arthur Peter Mutharika. The meeting focused on deteriorating security conditions in the region, particularly in Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The regional bloc reaffirmed its commitment to “safeguarding peace, consolidating democracy, and promoting stability and regional integration.” SADC leaders emphasized strengthening African crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms to uphold collective security.
DRC’s eastern instability sparks urgent regional response
During the session, SADC expressed grave concern over the worsening security situation in eastern DRC, warning that instability threatens not only national peace but also regional integration efforts. Participants urged all conflict parties to honor commitments made under the Doha and Washington agreements, particularly ceasefire provisions.
“Regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the summit expressed deep concern over the resurgence of the Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Congolese people,” stated the SADC communiqué. “The summit also noted the deterioration of the security situation in the region, emphasizing that instability threatens national peace and regional integration.”
The bloc reiterated that African-led peace processes, supported by international efforts, remain essential for achieving lasting stability and resilience in the region.
Next steps: Recommendations for the August SADC summit
The Troika of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation formulated several recommendations, which will be submitted for consideration at the bloc’s 46th ordinary summit. The event, scheduled for August 16–17, 2026, in Durban, South Africa, will mark the beginning of South Africa’s one-year presidency of the regional economic community.
South Africa currently holds interim SADC presidency following the ousting of former Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina in a political crisis on October 14, 2025. This summit follows diplomatic efforts, including the Washington and Doha accords, aimed at establishing a durable ceasefire and reviving dialogue among DRC conflict stakeholders. However, these initiatives have yet to yield tangible results on the ground, where fighting persists between rebel groups and government forces.
The persistent gap between diplomatic progress and ground realities continues to undermine peace efforts. Parties involved continue to interpret the accords differently, further complicating their implementation and delaying sustainable peace in the region.