Sudanhorizon Highlights the Joint Emergency Summit of EAC and SADC Heads of State and Government on DRC

Dar es Salaam – Sudanhorizon – Exclusive

On Saturday, the joint summit of the heads of state and government of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) concluded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Following preparatory meetings of the foreign ministers of both groups on Friday, the summit deliberated on the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This was in implementing the decisions of the EAC and SADC summits held on January 29-31, 2025, respectively.
The joint summit was co-chaired by William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya and Chair of the East African Community, and Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe and Chair of SADC. The summit was attended by heads of state and government from the United Republic of Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of South Africa, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Uganda, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Burundi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Angola, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi, and the Minister of East African Community Affairs representing the President of South Sudan. The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Madagascar also attended. The summit’s opening session was attended by Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Secretary-General of SADC, and Ms. Veronica Nduva, Secretary-General of the East African Community.
The joint summit reviewed the report of the joint meeting of the EAC and SADC foreign ministers on the security situation in eastern DRC. It affirmed that political and diplomatic engagement is the most sustainable solution to the conflict.
The summit adopted the recommendations of the EAC and SADC foreign ministers’ meetings held on February 7, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, reaffirming solidarity and unwavering commitment to continue supporting the DRC in its efforts to protect its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as peace, security, and sustainable development.
The summit expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, which has resulted in loss of life and created a crisis, including escalating attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies, and staff in Kinshasa. It called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire, urging the DRC government to take necessary measures to prevent further violence.
The summit directed the defence chiefs of the EAC and SADC to meet within five (5) days and provide technical guidance on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. It also called for humanitarian assistance, including the repatriation of victims’ remains and the evacuation of the wounded, as well as the development of a plan to secure Goma and its surrounding areas and the immediate reopening of Goma Airport. Additionally, it requested advice on other relevant facilitative interventions.
The summit decided to urgently resume the “Nairobi Process” and enhance coordination and structural integration with the “Luanda Process” immediately. It emphasized strengthening coordination between the two processes, with the immediate implementation of a joint operational plan to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the withdrawal of Rwandan defensive measures from the DRC. It also called for direct dialogue with the M23 movement and the consideration and appointment of additional facilitators from other regions in Africa to support the integrated process.
The joint summit called for implementing the operational concept for the coordinated plan to neutralize the FDLR and withdrawing Rwandan defensive measures/disengagement of forces from the DRC, as agreed in the Luanda Process.
The summit also directed the convening of a joint meeting of EAC and SADC foreign ministers within thirty (30) days to deliberate on the report of the joint defense chiefs’ meeting regarding the ceasefire, cessation of hostilities, and the establishment of a technical coordination mechanism at the secretariat level to monitor the implementation of the joint summit’s decisions.

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