In a significant diplomatic move, Malawi’s President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and fellow heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have endorsed a robust roadmap aimed at bringing lasting peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The high-level discussions took place during a landmark virtual joint summit yesterday, marking a moment of unity between the two major regional blocs in their shared commitment to resolving one of Africa’s most protracted conflicts.
The summit was co-chaired by Kenya’s President William Ruto, in his capacity as Chairperson of the EAC, alongside Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chairperson of SADC. Both leaders emphasized the urgency of the situation in the eastern DRC, which has been plagued by conflict for over three decades. President Mnangagwa, in his opening remarks, commended the unwavering solidarity displayed by the two regional blocs, highlighting that their collaboration was crucial in addressing the escalating security crisis.
President Ruto echoed these sentiments, applauding the dedication of both DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who were in attendance, for their tireless efforts to confront the issues that continue to affect the region. Ruto hailed their leadership as vital for securing peace not just for the DRC but for the continent at large.
The joint summit, which is only the second of its kind—following the first held in Dar es Salaam in February 2025—praised the co-chairpersons for their exemplary collaboration in steering the proceedings. Following deliberations, the summit adopted a comprehensive report on the security situation in the DRC, presented earlier this month during a joint EAC-SADC Ministerial Meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe.
In a communique released after the summit, leaders endorsed a detailed strategy aimed at achieving peace and stability in the DRC, with clear short, medium, and long-term goals. The roadmap is seen as a crucial step toward ending the conflict that has destabilized the region for decades.
The DRC, a nation with vast potential, has been locked in a cycle of violence for more than 30 years. Yet, the renewed cooperation between SADC and EAC offers a glimmer of hope for turning the tide. With the endorsement of this ambitious peace initiative, the leaders of the region are sending a powerful message: a unified Africa can and will rise to solve its most pressing challenges.
The world will now watch as these leaders translate this historic agreement into real action on the ground, in what could be a defining moment for the region and for the continent as a whole.
