EAC, SADC agree on roadmap for peace in eastern DRC

The East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders have adopted a comprehensive roadmap to address the escalating security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

This took place in a virtual meeting held on Monday where the leaders emphasised the urgent need for coordinated regional action to restore peace and stability in the region.

The summit approved the outcomes of a joint EAC-SADC Ministerial meeting held in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March, including a detailed roadmap outlining immediate, medium and long-term measures.

Leaders called for swift implementation of the plan, aimed at addressing both the security situation and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.

In a significant move, a panel of facilitators was appointed to guide the peace process.

The panel includes former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa), Catherine Samba Panza (Central African Republic) and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia).

The facilitators will be instrumental in leading diplomatic efforts and ensuring that gender, regional, and language inclusivity are maintained throughout the process.

The summit reaffirmed decisions made in earlier meetings, including resolutions from the African Union and UN Security Council, all emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to resolve the crisis.

The leaders also directed the co-chairs to brief the facilitators on the outcomes within the next week.

Attending the summit were Presidents William Samoei Ruto, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Félix Antoine Tshisekedi (DRC), Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera (Malawi).

Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia) were also present.

Also present were Prime Minister of Somalia Hamza Abdi Barre (representing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud), Ambassador Téte António, Minister of External Relations of Angola (representing President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço) and Honourable Deng Alor Kuol, Minister of East African Community Affairs, representing His Excellency, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan.

The leaders expressed their appreciation for the successful co-chairmanship of Presidents Ruto and Mnangagwa and the hard work of the EAC and SADC Secretariats.

The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to achieving lasting peace and security in the eastern DRC.