EAC, SADC Appoint Peace Facilitators to Help End Eastern DRC Conflict
Nairobi, Kenya – August 1, 2025 — The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have reaffirmed their commitment to restoring peace and stability in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), by appointing five high-profile facilitators to spearhead a joint peace initiative.
In a significant step toward achieving lasting peace and humanitarian relief in the region, Heads of State from both regional blocs convened in Nairobi, Kenya, for a high-level meeting co-chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe. The meeting, held at State House Nairobi, aimed to assess progress and strategize a joint path forward in the quest to end conflict and loss of life in Eastern DRC.
The session was attended by prominent leaders and facilitators, including African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Central African Republic President Catherine Samba-Panza, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, and Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Eric Kabetswe Masisi. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo joined the deliberations virtually.
The facilitators were tasked with supporting diplomatic efforts, engaging stakeholders, and promoting a regional and inclusive approach to peacebuilding. The initiative also underscores the urgency of delivering comprehensive humanitarian aid to affected populations across the conflict-affected zones in the DRC.
The joint EAC-SADC commitment sends a clear message: regional integration and solidarity remain essential tools in addressing Africa’s security challenges through African-led solutions.
