Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) have appointed three former African leaders to oversee a unified peace process in eastern DRC.
Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo have been selected as facilitators to mediate peace efforts in the war-torn region.
Their appointment was announced at a high-level joint summit, co-chaired by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Kenyan President William Ruto, held in Dar es Salaam.
The decision marks an effort to merge the separate Luanda and Nairobi peace processes into a single, coordinated initiative.
SADC and EAC leaders emphasized the need for a harmonized regional strategy to address security challenges in eastern DRC, where years of conflict involving multiple armed groups, including M23, have led to severe humanitarian crises and instability.
Ahead of the summit, preparatory meetings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam brought together Chiefs of Defence Forces (CDFs) from both regional blocs to discuss critical security measures.
Key issues on the agenda included ceasefire implementation, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the reopening of vital supply routes to support affected communities.
Regional defense chiefs have been actively assessing the security situation on the ground, with further discussions scheduled to refine strategies for ceasefire enforcement and humanitarian interventions.
The new approach aims to establish a sustainable framework for peace by integrating military, diplomatic, and humanitarian efforts.
Leaders at the summit issued a strong appeal to all armed groups operating in eastern DRC, including M23, urging them to immediately cease hostilities and commit to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
