EAC and SADC foreign ministers to convene in Harare amid escalating Eastern DRC crisis
This high-level engagement comes at a time when violence in eastern DRC has intensified, with Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka revealing at the Human Rights Council in Geneva that over 7,000 people have been killed since January.
Foreign ministers from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are set to meet in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Friday to address the worsening security and humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The joint ministerial meeting will build upon discussions from the February 8 Dar es Salaam summit, which called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions between the Congolese government and the M23 rebels.
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The ministers will review reports from the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defence Forces/Staff and refine a political roadmap under the merged Luanda/Nairobi peace processes.
This high-level engagement comes at a time when violence in eastern DRC has intensified, with Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka revealing at the Human Rights Council in Geneva that over 7,000 people have been killed since January.
Additionally, 450,000 people have been displaced after armed groups destroyed 90 displacement camps.
The M23's rapid territorial gains and control over mineral-rich regions have heightened concerns of a broader regional war, drawing in neighbouring states and external actors.
Despite accusations from the United Nations, Western powers, and the Congolese government, Rwanda has persistently denied allegations of supporting M23 with arms and troops.
This week, Kigali has come under intense diplomatic scrutiny, with the United States imposing targeted sanctions on Rwanda's regional minister James Kabarebe and M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka for their alleged roles in fueling instability in eastern Congo.
The upcoming Harare meeting will serve as a critical juncture for regional diplomacy, as EAC and SADC states attempt to reconcile differing approaches to the conflict—EAC's previous mediation efforts under Kenya's leadership have faced setbacks, while SADC has taken a more militarised stance, deploying troops to bolster Kinshasa's forces.
Observers will be watching closely to see whether regional leaders can agree on a unified strategy to stem the violence, enforce ceasefires, and facilitate political dialogue between Kinshasa and armed groups, including M23.
The meeting also raises questions about Rwanda's engagement in the process, given the mounting pressure on President Paul Kagame's government.
As the conflict spirals, the humanitarian toll continues to rise, amplifying calls for urgent regional and international intervention to prevent further suffering and displacement.
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