Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are set to hold another meeting next week to address the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The decision follows discussions in Windhoek, Namibia, between the current chairperson of the EAC and the chairperson of SADC.
The meeting between the leaders took place on the sidelines of the inauguration of Namibia’s first female president. The event also marked the country’s 35th independence anniversary.
In their discussions, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implementing resolutions from last month’s joint summit in Tanzania, which aimed at restoring stability in the DRC. The primary focus remains on addressing the crisis and delivering lasting peace.
Beyond the DRC crisis, the leaders also agreed to strengthen regional integration and enhance trade under the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement, which brings together EAC, SADC, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). They also pledged to advance the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement to boost intra-African trade.
The planned virtual meeting comes at a critical time, as the M23 rebels continue to advance despite growing international calls for a ceasefire. On Wednesday, the rebels reportedly captured the town of Walikale, a strategic mining hub in North Kivu province. This development occurred just a day after the DRC’s president and his Rwandan counterpart called for an immediate ceasefire during their meeting in Qatar.
A spokesperson for the Congolese army confirmed that Walikale, located about 400 kilometers from Kisangani, is now under the control of the rebel forces. The ongoing violence underscores the urgency of the upcoming meeting, as regional leaders seek to find a sustainable solution to the crisis.
The first EAC-SADC joint summit was held on February 8 in Tanzania, where several resolutions were made to address the instability in the region. The follow-up meeting next week is expected to evaluate the progress of these resolutions and explore further measures to restore peace in the DRC.
As the situation continues to evolve, the commitment of regional leaders to resolving the conflict remains crucial. The collaboration between EAC and SADC represents a concerted effort to stabilize the region, promote peace, and enhance economic cooperation among African nations.
