Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are set to convene once again next week to address the growing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The decision was made following discussions in Windhoek, Namibia, between Kenyan President William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Ruto currently chairs the EAC, while Mnangagwa leads the SADC bloc.
Their meeting took place on the sidelines of the inauguration of Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, an event that coincided with the country’s 35th independence anniversary.
In an official statement, President Ruto reaffirmed their shared commitment to implementing resolutions from last month’s joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, aimed at restoring stability in the DRC.
“Our primary focus is to address the crisis and deliver lasting peace,” Ruto stated.
Beyond the DRC conflict, the two leaders also discussed enhancing regional integration and boosting trade through the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement, which brings together EAC, SADC, and COMESA. They also pledged to advance the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to further strengthen intra-African trade.
The upcoming virtual meeting comes amid mounting tensions, with M23 rebels continuing their advance. On Wednesday, reports emerged that the rebels had seized the town of Walikale in North Kivu province, despite international calls for a ceasefire.
The capture came just a day after DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met in Doha, Qatar, and jointly called for an immediate ceasefire.
On Thursday, Congolese army spokesperson Nestor Mavudisa confirmed that “the enemy” had taken control of Walikale, located approximately 400km (250 miles) from Kisangani, the DRC’s fourth-largest city.
