Ministers of Defence including those responsible for foreign affairs convened on Sunday to ahead of the Heads of states summit on November 20.

The Summit comes at a time when Zimbabwean President Emerson Mnangagwa, who is expected to chair the summit, was one of the first heads of state to congratulate Chapo and Frelimo on electoral victory even before the Mozambique electoral body announced official results.

Although the regional block highlighted DRC as their main agenda, political analysts say regional leaders can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the post-election violence unfolding in Mozambique.

The say the continued political unrest in that country will significantly affect land locked neighbours like Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, who depend heavily on Mozambique’s ports for their imports and exports. 

“Regarding the security situation in our region, the region is generally relatively calm and stable despite isolated insecurity, particularly in eastern DRC, where attacks on government forces and civilians by the armed groups have caused the displacement of approximately 6.4 million people countrywide, with more than 2.5 million people internally displaced within North Kivu province in the last two years alone,” says SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi.

He adds: “As a result of these armed attacks, the eastern part of the DRC has witnessed a dire humanitarian situation that requires an agent and well-concerted intervention. Since the deployment of Sami DRC in December of last year in support of the armed forces of the DRC and in collaboration with the DRC bilateral partners, the mission has made a significant impact in bringing relative peace and stability within its area of responsibility within North Kivu. Sami DRC deployment remains a critical deterrent against hostile armed forces to safeguard DRC’s territorial integrity.”

Magosi further points out: “I wish to express SADC’s appreciation to the member states that have contributed troops and resources to Sami DRC. We are also pleased to note the positive developments in implementing the United Nations resolution 2746 on Monusco’s support to the Sami DRC.”

“While commending the forces of the DRC for observing the ceasefire, we are concerned about the reported continued violation of the armistice by some armed groups and opposing forces in defiance of the very same deal. We strongly call upon all armed groups and opposing forces to cease all forms of hostilities and comply with the agreed truths.”

Further in his address to Ministers, he added: “Your meeting will consider recommendations from the defence staff committee on the future of this mission and all its related implications. The recommendations were informed primarily by the report of the field assessment mission conducted in North Kivu the first week of October this year.” By Sophie Mokoena, SABC News