The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have agreed to collaborate on resource mobilization and financial frameworks to support ongoing peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This decision emerged from a joint ministerial meeting held in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Monday.
Comprehensive Roadmap for Peace
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who co-chaired the meeting, emphasized that the ministers adopted these measures as part of a broader strategy to address the root causes of conflict in the region.
"The meeting engaged in in-depth discussions on the report by the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defence following the Nairobi and Dar es Salaam meetings," said Mudavadi.
The forum outlined immediate, medium, and long-term strategies to help end the war in Eastern DRC. Together with his co-chair, Amon Murwira, Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, Mudavadi also reviewed the progress made in implementing resolutions from the joint summit of Heads of State and Government.
Implementing Regional Directives
The Joint Summit held in Dar es Salaam on February 8 directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defence Forces (CDFs) to enforce an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. Other key directives included:
- Providing humanitarian assistance, including repatriation of the deceased and evacuation of the injured.
- Securing Goma and surrounding areas.
- Reopening main supply routes such as the Goma-Sake-Bukavu route.
- Resuming direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state actors, including M23.
- Merging the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes into the unified Luanda-Nairobi Process.
Monday’s deliberations in Harare served as a follow-up to ensure these directives are effectively implemented.
Paving the Way for Stability
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the discussions also aimed to create a more stable political climate within the DRC.
Mudavadi underscored the importance of addressing unresolved issues critical to achieving long-term peace in the region.
The mineral-rich eastern DRC has been plagued by conflict, with various armed groups, including the March 23 Movement (M23) in North Kivu and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Ituri and North Kivu, vying for control over resources and territory. The ongoing violence has led to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya accompanied Mudavadi to the meeting in Harare.