A summit of SADC leaders has begun place in Namibia with a special focus on the ongoing crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The administration in Kinshasa and Rwanda have been at odds for some time now because Kinshasa accuses Kigali of funding a significant rebel organisation in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda disputes the charges.
Another expected outcome of the conference in Windhoek is the release of a statement regarding the recent murder of a pro-democracy activist in Eswatini.
It is anticipated to cover the region’s status of peace and security with a focus on recent events in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
One of the members, Angola, has been attempting to strengthen the peace talks between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which erupted last week when the Rwandan military shot and damaged a fighter plane belonging to the Congolese army.
In addition to looking at recent instability in Lesotho and Eswatini, in particular following the death of Eswatini human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist Thulani Maseko, this summit is anticipated to restart efforts to bring peace to the area.
King Mswati III of Eswatini won’t be present at the summit, but Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini is expected to give a report on the political unrest and tension in the small country, which is home to Africa’s only remaining monarchy.