In a decisive move to address the deepening crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), African regional blocs have mobilized a team of statesmen and diplomats to spearhead peace efforts. The initiative, a joint effort by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), underscores Africa’s commitment to finding homegrown solutions to its conflicts.
At the forefront of this initiative are former heads of state from across the continent, including Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, and South Africa’s Kgalema Motlanthe. They are joined by Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic and Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde, ensuring a diverse and experienced team to guide mediation efforts.
The move highlights the increasing role of African-led peace processes in resolving regional instability without heavy reliance on external actors. Co-chaired by Kenya’s President William Ruto and Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, the summit demonstrated a renewed urgency to stabilize the DRC, where armed conflicts have displaced millions and threatened economic growth.
With a critical briefing set within the next seven days, the facilitators will outline their strategy for diplomatic engagement, emphasizing dialogue, conflict resolution, and regional security cooperation. The initiative marks a significant step in unifying African leadership to tackle one of the continent’s most enduring crises.
