In a significant development, the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have appointed former leaders to facilitate the joint peace process in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will lead the mediation efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability to the region.
The announcement was made following a Joint Summit of EAC and SADC Heads of State, co-chaired by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Kenyan President William Ruto in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025. The summit emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
The newly appointed facilitators bring a wealth of experience to the peace process. Former President Kenyatta has previously led the East African Community-led Nairobi Peace Process, focusing on political dialogue and military intervention to resolve conflicts in the region. Former President Obasanjo has a long history of mediating peace agreements across Africa, while former Prime Minister Desalegn has been involved in various diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
The joint peace process seeks to address the complex security situation in eastern DRC, where various armed groups, including the M23 rebel faction, have been engaged in ongoing conflicts. The facilitators are expected to engage all stakeholders, including armed groups, political factions, civil society, and regional partners, in an inclusive dialogue aimed at fostering long-term peace.
In addition to the appointment of facilitators, the EAC Chiefs of Defense Forces held preparatory meetings on February 21, 2025, in Nairobi, to discuss the ongoing security situation in eastern DRC. A similar meeting of the SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces was convened in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These meetings are part of the broader efforts to coordinate military and diplomatic initiatives to restore peace in the region.
The international community has welcomed these developments, viewing the appointment of experienced leaders as a positive step toward resolving the conflict in eastern DRC. The success of the peace process will depend on the commitment of all parties involved and the support of regional and international stakeholders.
As the facilitators prepare to engage in the peace process, the people of eastern DRC remain hopeful that this initiative will lead to lasting peace and stability in the region.
