Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat supported the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) in planning a joint summit on the conflict in the eastern DRC, which has caused immense death and displacement.
The SADC and EAC recommendations echo the long-standing call of the AU for a political solution through dialogue within the framework of the AU-led Luanda and Nairobi processes, according to the chairperson.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who chairs the SADC, called for a joint summit with the EAC to discuss the DRC conflict. He emphasized the need for a ceasefire and diplomatic engagement. Mnangagwa stated that SADC will work with all parties involved and support existing peace initiatives. The EAC had also proposed the joint summit.
Mnangagwa regretted the lack of progress in achieving peace in eastern DRC since the last summit, citing increased hostilities and attacks on peacekeepers. He condemned the violence and emphasized SADC's commitment to collective security and the importance of dialogue. He also stressed the need for a concrete plan for peace and pledged support for SADC forces, reiterating that regional security is a shared responsibility.