In a significant move to address the protracted crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), high-level African leaders convened in Nairobi today and announced a major consolidation of peace efforts under a single, African-led framework.
The pivotal meeting, co-chaired by Kenyan President Dr. William Samoei Ruto (Chairperson of the East African Community – EAC) and Zimbabwean President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community – SADC), brought together the newly appointed Panel of Facilitators for the DRC Peace Process with key regional stakeholders.
High-Level Participation:
The meeting saw the participation of eminent former African heads of state forming the Panel of Facilitators:
- H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo (Former President, Nigeria)
- H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (Former President, Kenya)
- H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza (Former Interim President, Central African Republic)
- H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde (Former President, Ethiopia)
- H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (Former President, Botswana)
They were joined by senior officials including H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (AU Commission Chairperson), H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi (Kenyan Prime CS & Foreign Affairs), H.E. Prof. Amon Murwira (Zimbabwean Foreign Minister), H.E. Veronica M. Nduva (EAC Secretary General), and H.E. Elias M. Magosi (SADC Executive Secretary).
Building on Past Resolutions:
The gathering recalled critical decisions from the 1st and 2nd Joint EAC-SADC Summits (February and March 2025), the AU Peace and Security Council’s 1261st Summit Level Meeting (February 2025), and the UN Security Council Resolution 773 (2025). All emphasized the urgent need for unified action to halt the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC.
Commending the Facilitators:
The Co-Chairs and attendees formally congratulated the distinguished Panel of Facilitators on their appointment and commended their commitment to guiding the complex process aimed at resolving the multi-faceted security challenges in the region.
Adopting a Unified Mandate:
Crucially, the meeting adopted foundational documents outlining the Facilitators’ mandate:
- Framework for the Merger of the Nairobi and Luanda Processes: Integrating the two major regional peace tracks.
- Terms of Reference for the Five-Member Panel of Facilitators: Defining their scope and responsibilities.
- Process Design for an Inclusive Mediation Process in eastern DRC: Setting out the structure for talks.
Landmark Resolutions for Action:
The meeting culminated in the adoption of decisive resolutions designed to streamline and empower the peace process:
- Immediate Structural Merger: The EAC-SADC structures and the AU Mediator role will be merged immediately. This unified Panel of Facilitators will report directly to the Joint EAC-SADC Summit and the African Union.
- Joint Secretariat: The technical secretariats of the African Union Commission (AUC), EAC, and SADC will merge into a single Joint Secretariat, headquartered at the AUC in Addis Ababa, to operationalize the new structure.
- Consolidated Mandate: The Terms of Reference and related documents for the AU Mediator and EAC-SADC Panel will be consolidated and formally endorsed by the Joint Summit.
- Centralized Resource Mobilization: Resource mobilization, including critical humanitarian funding, will be centralized and coordinated by the AUC for efficiency.
- Alignment Call: The AUC is tasked with conveying to all other ongoing initiatives and stakeholders the imperative to align with this consolidated, African-led process.
- Urgent Summit: An Extra-Ordinary Virtual Joint EAC-SADC Summit must be convened within 7 days to communicate these outcomes.
- AU-Wide Communication: The AUC will communicate the resolutions to all African Union Member States.
Gratitude and Closing:
The meeting expressed deep gratitude to President Ruto for hosting and commended the preparatory work of the EAC, SADC, and AUC Secretariats. The communiqué was issued in English, French, and Portuguese, all equally authentic.
Significance:
Today’s resolutions represent the most concrete step yet towards ending the fragmentation of peace efforts in eastern DRC. By merging the Nairobi and Luanda processes under a single, high-level African Panel with a unified secretariat and centralized resources, the region aims to present a cohesive front and accelerate progress towards lasting peace in the troubled region. The swift call for an Extra-Ordinary Summit underscores the urgency attached to implementing this new framework.
