Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — In a significant diplomatic development, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) have appointed three eminent former African leaders to lead peace mediation efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where prolonged hostilities between government forces and rebel groups have caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
The appointed mediators include former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe. This appointment follows a joint summit of the SADC and EAC, co-chaired by SADC Chairman President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and EAC Chair President William Ruto of Kenya, in Tanzania earlier this month.
Mandate of the Mediators:
The trio of experienced African statesmen will facilitate the EAC-SADC peace process, a merger of the Luanda and Nairobi processes, aimed at halting the violent conflict in Eastern DRC. Their mandate includes:
• Enforcing an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
• Coordinating humanitarian assistance for displaced communities.
• Securing main supply routes to ensure the flow of aid and commerce.
• Developing a security plan for Goma and surrounding areas.
• Reopening Goma Airport and assessing additional interventions to stabilize the region.
Diplomatic and Military Coordination:
On 21st February 2025, the EAC Chiefs of Defence Forces held preparatory meetings in Nairobi, focusing on the security dynamics in Eastern DRC. Simultaneously, the SADC Chiefs of Defence Forces convened in Dar es Salaam, adhering to directives from the joint summit on 8th February 2025.
A Joint EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting took place yesterday in Dar es Salaam, setting the stage for the Joint Ministerial Meeting on February 28, which aims to finalize the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Ceasefire Urgency:
The EAC-SADC joint statement called on all parties, including M23 rebels and other armed groups, to halt hostilities and respect the ceasefire. The situation in Goma, a strategic and resource-rich provincial capital, remains tense, with rebels controlling large portions of Eastern DRC.
International Backing:
The United Nations Security Council recently adopted a unanimous resolution condemning the M23’s offensive, amplifying international pressure on armed groups to withdraw and support peace efforts.
Humanitarian Crisis:
The conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of civilians forced to flee their homes. Aid agencies are struggling to provide essential support, including food, shelter, and medical assistance.
Looking Forward:
With the combined diplomatic weight of SADC and EAC, and the experienced leadership of Kenyatta, Obasanjo, and Desalegn, there is renewed hope for a lasting resolution to the conflict. The international community and regional stakeholders will closely monitor progress, as any failure to secure peace could have devastating consequences for the Great Lakes region and beyond.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as they become available.