In a significant move to address the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) have jointly appointed three former African leaders to mediate the crisis. Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will facilitate the regional peace process in the DRC.

The appointment follows an extraordinary summit of EAC and SADC heads of state held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, earlier this month. The summit aimed to address the worsening conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels have been battling government forces since December. The rebels have expanded their territorial control, capturing key locations such as Goma and Bukavu, resulting in over 7,000 deaths this year alone, according to Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka.

The joint initiative by SADC and EAC seeks to harmonize regional peace efforts amid ongoing military interventions, including the presence of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC). The appointed facilitators are expected to lead high-level negotiations between the Congolese government, armed groups, and regional stakeholders to foster stability and prevent further escalation of violence.

Diplomatic efforts will continue with a Joint Ministerial Meeting slated for February 28, where the final terms of the ceasefire are expected to be finalized. The EAC and SADC Joint Summit emphasized that political and diplomatic engagement remains the most sustainable solution to the conflict. Both regional blocs have previously implemented a multi-pronged approach to de-escalate the crisis in the DRC, particularly in the conflict-ridden eastern region.

The recent Joint Summit reviewed the report of the joint meeting of EAC and SADC ministers on the security situation in eastern DRC and emphasized the critical role of both the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. The summit resolved to merge them into a unified Luanda/Nairobi Process, which will be supported by additional facilitators from other regions of Africa, appointed in consultation with the African Union.

The Joint Summit further directed the resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all relevant parties, including both state and non-state actors—military and non-military—such as the M23 rebels. These negotiations will take place within the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi Process, reaffirming the commitment to a comprehensive and inclusive approach to achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC.

The development is seen as a significant step towards resolving the long-standing conflict in the DRC, which has resulted in immense humanitarian suffering and regional instability. The appointment of former African leaders with experience in conflict resolution is expected to bring a new level of expertise and credibility to the peace process.

As the situation in the DRC continues to unfold, the international community will be watching closely to see if this new initiative can bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict. The success of this effort will have significant implications for regional security, economic development, and humanitarian efforts in the DRC and beyond.