"The bloc missed the opportunity to discuss its failures in the DRC, and we can only hope that leaders have learned their lesson about ill-advised and ill-prepared mobilization," analysts from this British consultancy firm believe.
In an analysis note on the meeting of Southern African leaders last weekend, Oxford Economics writes that the summit was "dominated by talks on trade and regional integration, which is not surprising given the impact that US tariffs have on the region's largest economy," South Africa.
In the summit's conclusions, SADC reaffirmed its "unwavering commitment" to promoting peace in eastern DRC during the closing session of its 45th annual summit in Madagascar.
In its final communiqué, the organization highlighted the mediation efforts undertaken by the African Union Commission, SADC, and the East African Community (EAC), as well as the peace processes led by African countries, the agreement reached in Washington, and the declaration of principles signed in Doha.
In his address, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi noted that the EAC and SADC agreed to merge their respective mediation structures, in conjunction with the African Union (AU), with a view to strengthening continental leadership in resolving the conflict in eastern DRC.
The 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, marked the transition of the rotating presidency of the 16-country regional bloc, with Zimbabwe handing over the leadership to Madagascar, which assumes the presidency of the organization for the first time.
Southern African heads of state discussed ways to boost intraregional trade and reduce dependence on external partners, amid rising tariffs, declining financial support, and global geopolitical tensions.
South Africa was designated as the future chair of SADC in 2026 and will host the 46th summit in August of next year, almost a decade after first holding that position.
SADC, established on August 17, 1992, is a bloc whose member states are South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
