South African President Jacob Zuma

by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) is to intervene and resolve the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in line with its aim to promote peace and stability in the region.
Incoming chairperson, Jacob Zuma, disclosed this as he presented the closing Statement at the end of the regional leader’s meeting in Pretoria, South Africa on Sunday.
Zuma, the South African President, said the summit had noted it might be impossible to hold elections in the troubled DRC in December, as per an agreement reached by President Joseph Kabila and his rivals.
Zuma said the unlikelihood of elections was due to “a number of challenges currently receiving attention.”
Accordingly, the summit has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission of the DRC to publicise the revised electoral calendar.
The summit has also approved the appointment of a SADC Special Envoy to the DRC in the level of a former head of state.
“There are consultations aimed at finalising this matter,” Zuma said.
DRC is beset by strife after Kabila stayed on despite the lapse of his mandate last year.
Meanwhile, the summit bade farewell to President Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola, who leaves office next week, and President Ian Khama of Botswana, who leaves the helm in April 2018.
The summit welcomed the addition of the Union of the Comoros as its 16th member.
The regional bloc is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Zuma said the bloc had performed exceedingly well over the years.
“Our region is undoubtedly politically stable and peaceful,” he said.