Leaders of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Eastern DR Congo, a ceasefire, and the restoration of essential utilities and supply lines to ensure humanitarian support and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
This follows a communique issued on Saturday after a one-day joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
The summit, convened to address the security crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was co-chaired by Kenyan President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, Chairperson of the EAC, and Zimbabwean President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Chairperson of SADC.
The summit expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Eastern DRC, which has resulted in significant loss of life, a worsening humanitarian crisis, and severe suffering, particularly for women and children.
Leaders also condemned escalating violence targeting diplomatic missions, embassies, and their staff in Kinshasa, urging the DRC government to uphold its responsibility to protect lives, property, and peacekeeping missions such as MONUSCO.
Ceasefire and Humanitarian Support
The joint summit called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and enforcement of a ceasefire, restoration of essential services and supply routes for food and other necessities and peaceful conflict resolution through the Luanda/Nairobi process.
Security and Defense Measures
EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces (CDFs) will meet within five days to implement a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, facilitate humanitarian assistance, including repatriation of the deceased and evacuation of the injured, and develop a security plan for Goma and surrounding areas.
The meeting of the CDFs is also expected to reopen critical supply routes such as Goma-Sake-Bukavu and Goma-Kibumba-Rumangabo-Kalengera-Rutshuru-Bunagana, ensure navigation on Lake Kivu between Goma and Bukavu and reopen Goma Airport for essential operations.
Diplomatic and Political Engagement
The joint summit called for the merging the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes into a single framework for efficiency and effectiveness and strengthening mediation efforts by appointing additional facilitators in consultation with the African Union.
It further called for the resumption of direct negotiations with all state and non-state actors, including the M23 rebel group, under the Luanda/Nairobi framework.
Neutralisation of Armed Groups and Foreign Forces
The joint summit called for the implementation of the harmonised Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the neutralisation of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), lifting Rwanda’s defensive measures and disengage its forces from the DRC, as agreed in the Luanda process and developing and enforcing modalities for the withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed forces from DRC territory.
Monitoring and Long-Term Peace Strategy
The joint summit suggested convening a Joint Meeting of EAC and SADC Ministers within 30 days to review the CDFs’ report on the ceasefire implementation, establish a secretariat-level technical coordination mechanism, develop an implementation roadmap with financing strategies and address residual issues affecting sustainable peace and security in Eastern DRC.
Continued Regional Collaboration
The joint summit further called for maintaining solidarity with the DRC in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and holding similar consultations at least once a year, or as needed, to assess security matters of mutual concern.
The joint summit reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting the DRC in its pursuit of lasting peace, security, and development.
It was attended by President Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) – EAC Chairperson, President Félix Tshisekedi (DR Congo) – SADC Chairperson, President William Ruto (Kenya), President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), President Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), President Paul Kagame (Rwanda), President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), President Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), President Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), President João Lourenço (Angola) and President Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana).
Others included H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Executive Secretary of SADC, His Excellency Elias Magosi and the Secretary General of the EAC, Her Excellency Veronica M. Nduva, among others.
