Pretoria: While security concerns persist in parts of southern Africa, the region remains ‘generally stable and peaceful’. This is according to Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, who delivered the opening address of the regional bloc’s 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government.

According to South African Government News Agency, Magosi noted that prior to the summit, the SADC’s troikas on security convened to conduct a review of the region’s political and security state, particularly that of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kingdom of Lesotho, and the Republic of Mozambique. Magosi emphasized that following the withdrawal of the SAMIDRC troops earlier this year, a strategic decision was taken to create an enabling environment for dialogue and diplomatic engagement. As part of this initiative, the Joint SADC-EAC Summit, held on August 13, 2025, endorsed the merger of the Nairobi and Rwanda processes into a single integrated initiative, supported by a distinguished panel of facilitators.

Magosi highlighted that this unified approach marks a pivotal moment in regional democracy, affirming the need for harmonizing action to effectively address the complexity of the conflict in Eastern DRC. He stressed that the measure sends a clear message that African led solutions are vital to overcoming shared challenges in advancing unity, resilience, and self-determination.

The executive secretary also acknowledged the soldiers who lost their lives in the eastern DRC conflict, with at least 20 SAMIDRC soldiers, including 14 from South Africa, having paid the ultimate price. Magosi honored these courageous men and women who gave their lives under the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, recognizing their sacrifice in defense of sovereignty and peace in the Eastern DRC as a heavy price paid for the region’s core values of solidarity, unity, and mutual protection. He extended deepest condolences to their families and nations, wishing that their souls rest in eternal peace.