Staff Reporter
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) are set to convene in Tanzania this week for an emergency summit aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The decision to hold the joint summit comes after both regional blocs separately met last week and agreed on the urgent need for collective action to restore peace and stability in the region. Rwanda has also welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism about a collaborative approach to ending hostilities.
EAC Chairperson and Kenyan President, William Ruto, confirmed the summit on his official X account, emphasising that regional peace and security are essential for economic growth and investment.
“Ensuring peace and security are critical ingredients for trade and investment in our region,” he stated.
During the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held, in Mt Hampden, last week, SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean leader, His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa,highlighted the significance of joint efforts in addressing the DRC crisis.
“I am confident that the concrete decisions adopted today will further propel the ongoing joint efforts to find lasting solutions to restore peace and normalcy in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Undoubtedly, consolidating solidarity and attaining our common destiny remains a top priority for our region,”President Mnangagwa said.
He further emphasised that the success of Africa’s development agendas, including SADC Vision 2050 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, depends on a stable and secure continent. He called on African leaders to take charge of their own future through collective action and the principles of Pan-Africanism.
African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has endorsed the SADC-EAC joint summit, stating that it aligns with the AU’s long-standing call for a political resolution to the DRC crisis. He noted that the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, spearheaded by the AU, remain the framework for sustainable peace in the region.
The conflict in eastern DRC has led to mass displacement and the loss of thousands of lives. Last week, the M23 rebels seized control of Goma, a major city with a population of nearly two million people. The rebels claim to be fighting for minority rights, while the DRC government accuses them of seeking control over the region’s vast mineral resources.
As SADC and EAC prepare for this critical summit, hopes are high that a unified approach will pave the way for lasting peace in the DRC. The joint effort is expected to foster stronger regional cooperation, enhance security, and create a stable environment for economic growth and development across Africa.
