Regional leaders merge Nairobi and Luanda Peace Processes for Eastern DRC

Leaders present at the 24th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State High-Level Side Event in Arusha, Tanzania on November 25, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Mwangi Maina
Monday, December 2, 2024

The summit acknowledged the complexities arising from the parallel peace initiatives and called for their consolidation into a single, jointly managed process.

Regional leaders have agreed to merge the Uhuru Kenyatta-led Nairobi Process on peace restoration in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the African Union (AU)-sanctioned Luanda Process led by Angolan President João Lourenço.

The decision was made during a summit held on Saturday, which emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated approach to address the worsening security situation in the mineral-rich region.

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The summit acknowledged the complexities arising from the parallel peace initiatives and called for their consolidation into a single, jointly managed process.

"Due to the complexities of the parallel processes, the summit called for a coordinated approach and a consolidation of the various initiatives, specifically, the Luanda Process and the EAC-led Nairobi Process to be merged into one and managed jointly," read the communiqué issued on Saturday.

The summit further stressed the need for cooperation between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), given the wide-reaching implications of the DRC crisis on the region.

"The summit underscored the need for a joint meeting between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) to discuss the modalities in consideration of the widespread impact of the situation in DRC on the East African Community. The EAC Secretariat was directed to follow up the process for implementation not later than April 30, 2025," the communiqué added.

Kenyan support

President William Ruto, who assumed the chairmanship of the EAC during the summit, affirmed Kenya's support for the merger of the two processes.

President William Ruto addressing the 24th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania on November 30, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

He stated that Kenya had no objections to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the current Nairobi Process mediator, being integrated into the Luanda Process.

"Kenya is in agreement with the DRC's desire to merge the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes under the Luanda Process, and we have no reservations about the continued involvement of the Nairobi Process mediator, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta," Ruto said.

Kenyatta, who has been serving as the EAC mediator, has reportedly maintained a low profile in recent months amid rising diplomatic tensions between President Ruto and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.

Tshisekedi, perceived to be aligned with Angolan President Lourenço, has avoided recent EAC summits, citing strained relations with Kenya and Rwanda.

On a rotational basis, the DRC was slated to assume the EAC chairmanship but has refrained from doing so due to ongoing tensions within the bloc.