Dar es Salaam. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) leaders have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through the Luanda and Nairobi processes.
In a communique issued following a high-level meeting in Dar es Salaam on February 8, regional leaders stressed the urgency of restoring essential utilities and supply lines to facilitate humanitarian aid to affected populations.
They underscored the importance of a collaborative approach in addressing the crisis, advocating for the merger and strengthening of the Luanda and Nairobi processes into a single peace framework.
The meeting directed the EAC and SADC Chiefs of Defence Forces (CDFs) to convene within five days to provide technical guidance on implementing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
“Chief of Defence Forces should also formulate a securitisation plan for Goma and its environs, ensure the reopening of key supply routes, and facilitate the immediate resumption of operations at Goma Airport,” the communique reads in part.
A critical aspect of the resolutions includes the resumption of direct negotiations among all stakeholders, including state and non-state actors, military and non-military factions such as the M23, under the unified Nairobi-Luanda framework.
“Luanda and Nairobi processes should be merged and strengthened into one Luanda-Nairobi process. Additional facilitators, including from outside the region, should be considered and appointed,” the communique further reads.
Additionally, the regional leaders reaffirmed their commitment to neutralising the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) while calling for the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures and disengagement of its forces from the DRC, as agreed under the Luanda process.
The communique further recommended the development and implementation of clear modalities for the withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed forces from DRC territory.
To monitor progress, a joint meeting of EAC and SADC ministers is to be convened within 30 days to assess the report of the CDFs and deliberate on ceasefire mechanisms and other security matters.
Regional leaders reiterated their unwavering support for the DRC in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also agreed to hold a joint EAC-SADC summit at least once a year, or as needed, to review the peace and security situation in the region.
The latest resolution comes amid heightened tensions in eastern DRC, where clashes between armed groups continue to threaten regional stability.
The leaders expressed optimism that a unified and concerted approach would pave the way for lasting peace in the conflict-stricken nation.
