The ongoing efforts by EAC-SADC leaders to restore peace in the eastern DR Congo gained renewed momentum Friday with leaders endorsing a unified, African-led approach.
The high-level meeting held at State House, Nairobi was co-chaired by President William Ruto and Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It brought together regional facilitators and representatives of the African Union Commission, the EAC and the SADC, united in the shared goal of ending conflict and bringing lasting stability to the eastern DRC.
Ruto, in a statement, said the leaders reached a breakthrough agreement on several fronts.
Key among them is the formalisation of terms of reference for five regional facilitators and the merging of the EAC, SADC, and AU Commission secretariats under a unified African Union framework.
He said they also resolved to have a joint EAC-SADC Heads of State summit to be held within a week.
According to Ruto, there was a need for a united front to end the crisis.
“An African-led, inclusive and well-coordinated peace process is the surest path to silencing the guns and delivering sustainable peace for the people of Eastern DRC,” he said.
The meeting also reaffirmed that this homegrown process does not stand in opposition to international efforts such as the Doha or Washington initiatives.
"This process is not in conflict with other efforts such as the Doha and Washington initiatives. In fact, the progress made through this African-led initiative now offers a solid framework for aligning the Washington Accord and the Qatar Agreement within a unified continental approach," he stated
Rather, he said, it provides a structured African platform upon which these global agreements, including the Washington Accord and the Qatar Agreement, can be aligned and integrated for greater impact.
President Mnangagwa hailed the unity shown by Africa’s regional blocs.
“This is a moment for Africa to lead. The AU, SADC and EAC are working as one to ensure peace returns to the DRC,” he said.
The AUC will now communicate the outcomes of the Nairobi meeting to all member states, as the continent rallies behind a shared roadmap to finally end the violence in eastern Congo.
