The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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At the second joint summit of the Eastern African Community (EAC) and the South African Development Community (SADC), an expanded panel was appointed to lead peace initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following Angola’s formal withdrawal as a mediator in the conflict.
The newly formed panel includes former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, and former Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), and Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa).
Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn was excluded from the new group.
The virtual summit, co-chaired by EAC Chairperson President William Ruto of Kenya and SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, emphasized the need for a political solution.
“The Joint Summit directed the Co-chairs to organize a briefing session with the Panel of Facilitators within the next seven days. This session should be jointly led by SADC, EAC, and the AU,” stated part of the communiqué released after the summit.
President Ruto expressed concern about the escalating situation in Eastern DRC, which is also impacting neighboring countries.
Angola, which had been overseeing the AU-supported Luanda Process aimed at promoting reconciliation between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, did not participate in the summit.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame mentioned that the summit, held in a positive atmosphere, successfully clarified key issues. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a political solution that addresses the security concerns of all involved.
“If you want the war to end, you must end the injustice and resolve political problems, not just for your own people, but for others, including neighboring countries affected,” said President Kagame. “We are making progress, and we are counting on everyone to contribute positively to ending the conflict.”
The leaders stressed the importance of coordinated regional efforts to restore peace and stability. They also endorsed the outcomes of the EAC-SADC Ministerial meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, which laid out a roadmap with short, medium, and long-term solutions to the crisis.
Eastern DRC has long suffered from violence and instability caused by armed groups and communal conflicts, leading to disrupted livelihoods and severe humanitarian crises. In January, M23 captured Goma, the capital of the resource-rich North Kivu province, followed by the seizure of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in February, and further advances towards the West.
