Sadc’s Push for Peace: Can Regional Unity Truly Defuse Crises in DRC and Mozambique?

By Adonis Byemelwa

The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Chairperson, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has reiterated the bloc's unwavering commitment to fostering peace and stability in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Addressing the Sadc Extraordinary Summit on November 20, 2024, Mnangagwa called for unity and collective resolve in tackling regional instability, emphasizing that peace is essential for the prosperity of the region.

His remarks came as Sadc leaders assessed the ongoing deployment of the Sadc Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which has been engaged in efforts to restore stability in the war-torn eastern part of the country.

The SAMIDRC deployment, initiated in December 2023, was approved during an earlier Sadc summit in May of that year in Namibia. It is composed of troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, working alongside the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) to counter armed groups that have plagued the region for years.

These groups, including the notorious M23 rebels, continue to destabilize North Kivu and surrounding areas, with the conflict recently escalating near the provincial capital of Goma.
Mnangagwa praised the member states contributing forces to SAMIDRC and the Sadc Secretariat for their dedication to regional stability but acknowledged that much work remains to be done.

He stressed the importance of mobilizing resources promptly, stating that "the assessment made by the summit reveals the need for timeous availing of resources to support peace initiatives."

Despite the deployment, the situation in the Eastern DRC remains precarious. Earlier this year, a South African Airforce Oryx helicopter operating under the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO was damaged by ground fire, injuring crew members. Reports from the region indicate that FARDC forces recently repelled an offensive by M23 rebels on the strategic town of Sake, with support from SAMIDRC troops.

However, the M23 group, which has been accused of encircling Goma, denies any plans to capture the city. Instead, the group has called for a monitored ceasefire and political dialogue, claiming to seek a peaceful resolution while vowing to respond to attacks on its forces.

The conflict in the DRC is further complicated by the exploitation of natural resources in the region, a key driver of violence. Armed groups often fund their operations through the illicit trade of minerals and agricultural products, including cocoa, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Austere Malivika, an ITV reporter covering the DRC, described the situation as "a vicious cycle of plunder and displacement, where the livelihoods of ordinary Congolese are stripped away by those who wield guns in the fields of war." The need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of the conflict, including economic inequities and weak governance, is evident.

Former University of Dar es Salaam professor Mwesiga Baregu, writing in his article African Regional Peace and Security under the AU, argued that resolving the DRC’s crisis requires more than military intervention.

"The DRC’s conflict is deeply rooted in historical grievances, porous borders, and competing regional interests," Baregu wrote. "Unless these structural issues are addressed, Sadc’s efforts will remain piecemeal, and the cycle of violence will persist." While Mnangagwa’s rhetoric emphasizes unity and solidarity, Baregu’s critique emphasizes the limitations of such approaches in the absence of tangible, long-term solutions.

The summit also turned its attention to Mozambique, where a post-election crisis has intensified following disputed presidential elections on October 9, 2024. President Filipe Nyusi’s ruling party, Frelimo, has faced accusations of rigging the vote to extend its nearly five-decade hold on power.

The opposition, led by Venancio Mondlane, has called for protests, with demonstrations met by a harsh police crackdown that has left at least 30 people dead. Mondlane continues to challenge the election results, citing widespread irregularities documented by international observers, including the European Union.

Sadc’s response to the Mozambique crisis has drawn criticism from political analysts and opposition leaders alike. Mnangagwa was among the first to congratulate Frelimo’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, on his victory, a move that has been viewed as premature given the unresolved legal challenges surrounding the election.

On Aljazeera Television Linda Masarira, a Zimbabwean opposition politician, criticized Sadc for what she described as a "lukewarm" approach to electoral disputes. "Sadc has failed to hold member states accountable when it comes to democratic processes," she said, adding that the bloc’s credibility as a mediator is at stake.

The unrest in Mozambique has regional ramifications, particularly for neighboring countries like South Africa, which has intermittently closed its border with Mozambique due to security concerns.

The border closures have disrupted trade, costing the South African economy millions of rand daily, and have had a ripple effect on landlocked nations such as Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe that rely on Mozambique’s ports for imports and exports. Masarira emphasized the urgency of resolving the crisis, warning that continued instability could destabilize the entire region.

Sadc’s handling of these intertwined crises has highlighted the challenges of balancing rhetoric with action. While the bloc has made strides in fostering regional cooperation, critics argue that its responses often lack the decisiveness needed to effect meaningful change.

Pigou, a political analyst at the Institute for Security Studies, observed that Sadc’s tendency to issue statements of solidarity without addressing the root causes of conflict undermines its effectiveness. "There’s an opportunity here for Sadc to step up, but it requires moving beyond surface-level interventions and addressing the structural issues driving instability," he said.

Baregu, in his analysis of regional peace and security, has called for a holistic approach that goes beyond military deployments and election monitoring. He advocates for addressing governance deficits, promoting inclusive economic development, and strengthening regional institutions to ensure lasting peace. "Sadc must rethink its strategy," he argued. "It’s not enough to deploy troops or observe elections. The bloc needs to tackle the systemic issues that fuel these conflicts."

Mnangagwa concluded the Sadc summit by expressing gratitude to the leaders and representatives who attended, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to peace and stability. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts in translating resolutions into tangible outcomes.

However, the rhetoric of unity and resolve often heard at Sadc gatherings risks falling short unless paired with decisive actions. The standoffs in the DRC and Mozambique highlight the limits of statements without strategic implementation.

Sadc chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was represented by Zanzibar Head of State Hussein Ali Mwinyi, once remarked that "peace is not just the absence of war; it is the presence of justice, accountability, and opportunity for all." Her words accentuate the complexity of addressing conflicts fueled by systemic issues, including resource exploitation and governance failures.

For Sadc, the challenge lies in ensuring its diplomatic and military interventions are effective and sustainable. While the rhetoric of solidarity inspires hope, it must be matched with investments in addressing root causes such as economic disparities, weak state institutions, and transnational criminal activities.
Without a shift from talk to meaningful action, the bloc risks perpetuating cycles of instability. The ability of Sadc to adapt its strategies and commit resources to long-term peacebuilding will determine whether it can truly rise to meet the region’s pressing challenges.