*President Mnangagwa’s Strategic Leadership in SADC: Orchestrating a Unified Response to the DRC Crisis* The escalating security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has prompted the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairman, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to convene an Extraordinary Summit in Harare tomorrow. This high-level gathering underscores the urgency of the deteriorating situation in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group has seized strategic territories, including Goma, and launched assaults against both SADC and United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces. In his capacity as SADC Chairperson, President Mnangagwa has emerged as a decisive leader in confronting this crisis, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to regional stability. His unequivocal condemnation of the M23’s aggression, particularly its attacks on UN and SADC forces, signals the region’s firm stance on safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. By taking a resolute position against these violent incursions, he has reinforced SADC’s intolerance for actions that threaten regional security and peace. Equally significant is the spirit of collective action embodied by SADC leadership, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and other regional figures playing an instrumental role in de-escalation efforts. South Africa’s explicit call for a ceasefire and its emphasis that its presence in the DRC is a peacekeeping mission rather than an act of war serve as critical steps toward diffusing tensions. The unity demonstrated by SADC leaders underscores the indispensable role of regional cooperation in addressing conflicts of this magnitude. However, achieving lasting peace demands more than merely countering the immediate threat posed by the M23. A comprehensive resolution requires engaging all actors contributing to the conflict, including external influences such as Rwanda, whose involvement - whether direct or indirect - must be addressed through diplomatic dialogue. SADC must remain steadfast in its pursuit of all available diplomatic avenues, however complex, to secure a sustainable and inclusive peace settlement for the DRC. Source: https://x.com/dereckgoto/status/1885014476883210519