JOHANNESBURG — South African President Jacob Zuma will attend a summit in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, this weekend that will focus on the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and mediation in Zimbabwe, a diplomat said on condition of anonymity yesterday.
Sapa/Staff Reporter
“The issue of the DRC will dominate the agenda” of the meeting, which will include representatives from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries, a source in South Africa’s International Relations department said.
“The meeting on December 7 and 8 will also hear a report from Tanzania on the Sadc mediation on Madagascar and a report from South Africa on our mediation in Zimbabwe.”
The DRC was rocked in recent weeks by a rebel insurgency that resulted in the seizure of the strategically vital eastern city of Goma, raising fears among southern African capitals of a broader regional conflict.
The M23 rebels have since pulled out of Goma, sparking a flurry of diplomatic efforts to prevent the crisis from flaring up again. Negotiations between the warring parties are expected to begin in the next few days in Uganda.
It was not clear if representatives of the Congolese government, which is a member of Sadc, or rebel forces in the east of the country would attend the Dar-es-Salaam talks.
“The official announcement will come from the Presidency,” the diplomat said, adding that the meeting was slated to include Tanzania, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Botswana and Malawi. “The meeting will include the Sadc Troika on Politics and Defence that is currently chaired by Tanzania, with South Africa and Angola as the other members, and the troika supporting the Sadc chairman,” the source said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“This body includes Mozambique, Botswana and Malawi.” Zuma’s facilitation team was in Harare last week and was briefed on the constitution-making process and preparations for next year’s elections.
There were fears pressure from the ANC’s elective conference later this month would distract Zuma from his mediation role in Zimbabwe.
