DRC conflict: President Ruto backs merger of Nairobi and Luanda peace initiatives

President William Ruto has urged leaders from East and Southern Africa to consolidate ongoing peace efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into one unified process, warning that a fragmented approach would not bring lasting peace to the region.

During a high-level meeting with the East African Community (EAC)– Southern African Development Community (SADC) Panel of Facilitators at State House, Nairobi, Ruto, who chairs the EAC, said the joint meeting with SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa aimed to formally brief the facilitators and set out their role in leading inclusive dialogue in the DRC.

Speaking on Friday, he said recent flare-ups in North and South Kivu had led to widespread suffering and displacement, with the potential to threaten broader regional stability.

“It was informed by the recognition that a political solution was the only viable path to resolving the conflict in eastern DRC,” Ruto said.

He welcomed the facilitators and praised them for stepping forward to support the peace push.

“Your profound wisdom, experience and vast knowledge in peace building, diplomacy and leadership are vital in navigating the complex conflict that has afflicted eastern DRC for decades,” Ruto said.

The meeting followed a decision by EAC and SADC leaders to merge the Nairobi and Luanda peace initiatives into one platform, which was later endorsed by the African Union. The new process will bring together the EAC, SADC and African Union (AU) to oversee a single roadmap for dialogue, addressing the causes of the conflict.

“We call for the urgent merger of the Nairobi and Rwanda peace processes into a single, coherent and harmonised EAC–SADC peace process to serve as a comprehensive, Africa-led political process,” Ruto said.

He noted that technical teams from the three institutions had already produced working documents, including the framework for the merger, the terms of reference for the facilitators and the structure for the mediation process.

These will guide how the facilitators engage with parties on the ground.

Ruto expressed optimism over growing diplomatic progress outside the region, particularly under the Doha, Qatar Principles and the Washington Agreement, which he said had created formal commitments from key parties to the conflict.

He acknowledged the efforts of both Rwanda and DRC foreign ministers, Olivia Dungi and Thérèse Wagner, who were present at the meeting.

“These encouraging developments are a clear signal that dialogue and diplomacy can work when the parties are willing to meaningfully engage,” the President said.

Ruto said the new regional framework must incorporate lessons and mechanisms from both the Doha and Washington initiatives and work in coordination with the AU-appointed mediator to avoid duplication and build trust.

He said the joint decision by EAC and SADC to merge efforts was historic, marking the first time two regional blocs had come together to manage a conflict mediation process in Africa.

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“We realised that this was a situation that was threatening to run out of control and to destabilise the whole region,” Ruto said.

“As we look ahead, let us remain committed and solidify our joint strength to ensure that we leave a lasting legacy of peace within eastern DRC and our region,” he added.