President Hakainde Hichilema today joined the Southern African Development Community (SADC) virtual Extraordinary Summit of the organ TROIKA of Heads of States and Government alongside troop contributing countries to the SADC mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

The summit focused on addressing the peace and security concerns in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Presiding over the Summit was Tanzanian President and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, Samia Suluhu Hassan.

In her closing remarks, Dr Hassan thanked the Heads of States for their active engagement in the closed-door deliberations that have resulted in the adoption of vital decisions as informed by the situation in the DRC.

Dr Hassan stated that with the various resources from the members, the mission will continue to assist the DRC in attaining peace and stability.

She also applauded the Heads of States for speaking strongly against the violence happening in the DRC.

“There is a need for deliberate efforts in restoring peace and stability in the DRC,” said President Hassan

Dr Hassan therefore, highlighted the urgent need for a collective responsibility to mitigate the existing challenges in the DRC.

She has since urged member states to be each other’s keeper in the event of threats to peace and security within the region.

ZANIS reports that the meeting brought together Heads of States  from Tanzania, who is the current Chair,  Malawi, as the incoming Chair of the Organ, and  Zambia as the outgoing Chair of the Organ.