DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – In their continuing attempts to address the escalating security crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Joint Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened on February 8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The summit, co-chaired by Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, brought together leaders from across the two regions to deliberate on the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC.
The summit was attended by a host of regional leaders, including Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, among others. Also present were representatives from Angola, Burundi, Malawi, South Sudan, Madagascar, and Somalia, underscoring the regional significance of the crisis.
The leaders expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in eastern DRC, which has led to significant loss of life, a humanitarian crisis, and widespread suffering, particularly among women and children. The summit condemned recent attacks and extended condolences to the families of the victims while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
The summit also highlighted the escalating crisis in Kinshasa, where diplomatic missions, embassies, and staff have come under attack. The leaders urged the DRC government to protect lives and property and to uphold the principles of respecting peace missions, including MONUSCO.
In their deliberations, the leaders recalled the previous calls by both the EAC and SADC for an immediate ceasefire, the restoration of essential utilities, and the peaceful resolution of the conflict through the Luanda/Nairobi process. The summit emphasized that political and diplomatic engagement remains the most sustainable solution to the conflict.
To address the immediate crisis, the summit directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to meet within five days to provide technical direction on several critical issues, including an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, the reopening of key supply routes, and the resumption of operations at Goma Airport. The leaders also called for the development of a securitization plan for Goma and surrounding areas.
The summit reaffirmed the importance of the Luanda and Nairobi processes and resolved to merge them into a single Luanda/Nairobi Process. The leaders mandated the co-chairs, in consultation with the African Union, to appoint additional facilitators to support the merged process. They also called for the resumption of direct negotiations with all state and non-state parties, including the M23, under the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process.
In a bid to ensure long-term stability, the summit directed a joint meeting of EAC and SADC ministers to convene within thirty days to deliberate on the implementation of the ceasefire, the establishment of a technical coordination mechanism, and the development of a comprehensive roadmap for peace and security in eastern DRC. The leaders also called for the withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed forces from DRC territory.
The summit concluded with a reaffirmation of solidarity with the DRC in its pursuit of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and sustainable peace.
