EAC, SADC Leaders Establish Annual Summit to Address DRC Peace Efforts.
Regional leaders from the East African Community and Southern African Development Community agreed Saturday to meet yearly to review peace initiatives in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The announcement came during their joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where they discussed shared interests between the two regional blocs.
The summit, co-chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, mandated a joint ministerial meeting within 30 days. This meeting aims to examine reports from the Chief of Defence Forces regarding ceasefire implementation and cessation of hostilities.
Ministers had previously convened on Friday, calling for all parties involved in the DRC conflict to cease hostilities through an unconditional ceasefire. Military chiefs were tasked with overseeing compliance. The upcoming ministerial gathering will establish a technical coordination mechanism at the secretariat level to track the implementation of summit decisions.
President Ruto emphasized the need for robust secretariat support to coordinate, monitor, and enforce the implementation of outcomes. The ministerial meeting will develop a comprehensive roadmap outlining immediate, medium, and long-term implementation measures, including financial arrangements.
The leaders directed the development and implementation of procedures for withdrawing uninvited foreign armed forces from DRC territory. The ministerial meeting will address additional issues related to achieving lasting peace and security in eastern DRC and prepare recommendations for the next joint EAC-SADC summit.
Several heads of state, government officials, and other representatives attended the landmark meeting, marking a significant step toward regional cooperation in resolving the ongoing conflict. The establishment of regular high-level consultations demonstrates the region's commitment to finding lasting solutions for peace in eastern DRC.
Regional leaders from the East African Community and Southern African Development Community agreed Saturday to meet yearly to review peace initiatives in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The announcement came during their joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where they discussed shared interests between the two regional blocs.
The summit, co-chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, mandated a joint ministerial meeting within 30 days. This meeting aims to examine reports from the Chief of Defence Forces regarding ceasefire implementation and cessation of hostilities.
Ministers had previously convened on Friday, calling for all parties involved in the DRC conflict to cease hostilities through an unconditional ceasefire. Military chiefs were tasked with overseeing compliance. The upcoming ministerial gathering will establish a technical coordination mechanism at the secretariat level to track the implementation of summit decisions.
President Ruto emphasized the need for robust secretariat support to coordinate, monitor, and enforce the implementation of outcomes. The ministerial meeting will develop a comprehensive roadmap outlining immediate, medium, and long-term implementation measures, including financial arrangements.
The leaders directed the development and implementation of procedures for withdrawing uninvited foreign armed forces from DRC territory. The ministerial meeting will address additional issues related to achieving lasting peace and security in eastern DRC and prepare recommendations for the next joint EAC-SADC summit.
Several heads of state, government officials, and other representatives attended the landmark meeting, marking a significant step toward regional cooperation in resolving the ongoing conflict. The establishment of regular high-level consultations demonstrates the region's commitment to finding lasting solutions for peace in eastern DRC.
