EAC, SADC leaders endorse unified peace effort for eastern DRC

President William Ruto and his Zimbabwe counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa, on Wednesday co-chaired a virtual Joint Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to advance peace efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The summit endorsed the appointment of former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi to the five-member Panel of Facilitators tasked with steering inclusive dialogue in eastern DRC.

The other members are former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic), and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia).

The leaders approved the merger of the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes into a single African-led mediation framework, supported by the African Union, aimed at improving coordination and effectiveness.

They also adopted key operational documents and a resource mobilisation plan to sustain the initiative.

The summit welcomed progress from diplomatic engagements in Washington and Doha, commended Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC for embracing dialogue, and acknowledged contributions from the United States and Qatar.

President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s support for a united African-led approach, describing it as “the surest path” to lasting peace and stability in eastern DRC.

“We stand firm in our resolve to end the conflict, halt the tragic loss of lives, prevent further displacement of communities, and protect property and livelihoods from destruction,” Ruto said.