Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have come together to address the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique. During an extraordinary summit in Lusaka, Zambia, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing both diplomatic and military support to find lasting solutions to these crises.

In a statement released after the summit, the leaders emphasized the importance of intensifying public diplomacy efforts to highlight the successes of SADC peace support missions in the region. They stressed the need to counter negative narratives that could undermine the effectiveness of these missions.

The summit also reiterated the regional commitment to the SADC mutual defense pact, which states that an armed attack against one member state is considered a threat to regional peace and security. The leaders received updates on the peace and security situations in the DRC and Mozambique, expressing their support for the governments of both countries in their efforts to achieve lasting peace, stability, and security.

The leaders commended the countries contributing troops to these missions and expressed gratitude to the deployed troops for their dedicated service in preserving peace and security in the region. The summit was convened by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who chairs the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation.

This reaffirmation of support from SADC leaders demonstrates their commitment to addressing the conflicts in the region and working towards a peaceful and stable future for the people of the DRC and Mozambique.