NAIROBI/HARARE, Aug 14 (NNN-KBC) — Kenyan President William Ruto and Pres Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe co-chaired a virtual Joint Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to advance peace efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Wednesday summit endorsed the appointment of former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi to the five-member Panel of Facilitators mandated to steer inclusive dialogue in the region.
Other panel members are former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic) and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia).
Leaders also approved the merger of the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes into a single African-led mediation framework supported by the African Union, aimed at improving coordination and impact.
They adopted key operational documents and a resource mobilisation plan to sustain the initiative.
The summit welcomed progress from the Washington and Doha diplomatic tracks, commended Presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Félix Tshisekedi (DRC) for embracing dialogue, and acknowledged the efforts of the United States and Qatar.
Ruto reiterated his support for a united African-led approach, calling it “the surest path” to lasting stability in eastern DRC.
“Sustainable peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is indispensable to the stability and prosperity of our region,” he said.
“We stand firm in our resolve to end the conflict, halt the tragic loss of lives, prevent further displacement of communities, and protect property and livelihoods from destruction.” — NNN-KBC
