Ruto, Mnangagwa merge Nairobi and Luanda peace efforts in DRC

President William Ruto co-chair virtual EAC-SADC meeting on DR Congo peace on August 13, 2025 [PSC]

In a bid to unify African-led peace initiatives in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have merged their peace processes.

Co-chairs of the EAC and SADC, Heads of State and Government, President William Ruto and Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa, announced the move after co-chairing a virtual summit yesterday evening.

The Nairobi and Luanda processes will now operate under one structure to improve coordination and avoid duplication.

"Together with President Mnangagwa, we have agreed to merge the EAC-SADC and AU structures into one unified African-led initiative to enhance coordination and harmonisation of peace processes in eastern DRC," said Ruto.

The EAC Chairperson said the new arrangement, agreed during an August 1 meeting in Nairobi, includes terms of reference for a joint panel, a mediation process design, plans for an independent secretariat, and a resource mobilisation strategy.

"A sustained, coordinated, African-led peace process remains the surest path to a stable and peaceful eastern DRC and the region."

Mnangagwa urged leaders to address the conflict's root causes, including mineral disputes, ethnic tensions, and governance gaps.

"We must remain united, speak with one voice, and act decisively to ensure peace prevails and development is realised in Eastern DRC."

President William Ruto addressing the joint EAC-SADC Virtual meeting on DR Congo peace mission on August 14, 2025 [PSC]

The joint summit also endorsed former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi to the five-member Panel of Facilitators, joining Olusegun Obasanjo, Uhuru Kenyatta, Catherine Samba-Panza and Sahle-Work Zewde.

The panel's mandate includes meeting DRC political leaders, engaging with armed groups, and consulting local communities to craft a comprehensive settlement.

The summit welcomed progress from the Washington and Doha diplomatic initiatives and commended DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for embracing dialogue.

The Nairobi Process, launched in 2022 under the EAC, focused on talks with armed groups, while the Luanda Process, led by Angola, sought to ease tensions between DRC and Rwanda. Both reported limited progress but often overlapped.

Eastern DRC remains mired in violence, with more than 120 armed groups active in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri.

Decades of conflict have displaced millions and strained regional ties, despite years of peacekeeping and military interventions.