Joint EAC-SADC summit appoints expanded peace panel for DRC crisis

Heads of State and Government during the first joint EAC-SADC Summit at State House, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on February 8, 2025. (Photo: PCS)

By Mwangi Maina
Tuesday, March 25, 2025

The expanded panel will support former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in navigating the complex and volatile conflict that has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo.

The second joint EAC-SADC summit has officially appointed an expanded panel of five former African leaders to spearhead peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following Angola's formal withdrawal as a mediator in the conflict.

The newly named facilitators include former Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa), Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia), and Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic).

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The inclusion of Sahle-Work Zewde and Catherine Samba-Panza comes after the SADC and Congolese delegations called for female representation in the mediation process.

Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who had previously served in the role, has been dropped from the facilitation team.

The expanded panel will support former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in navigating the complex and volatile conflict that has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo.

Angola, which had been leading the AU-sanctioned Luanda Process aimed at reconciling Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, did not participate directly in the summit.

President João Lourenço was represented by his Foreign Minister, Téte António.

Earlier this week, Angola formally announced its decision to relinquish its mediation role, citing a need to focus on broader continental priorities in its new capacity as African Union Chair.

The Angolan presidency, in a statement, referenced the "aborted" Luanda meeting with M23 representatives and reaffirmed its commitment to African-led solutions, despite its surprise at Qatar's recent mediation efforts between the DRC and Rwanda.

Luanda's exit follows growing tensions, especially after Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame met in Doha on the same day Kinshasa had dispatched a delegation to Angola for talks with M23 rebels.

President Kagame has previously accused Angola of lacking neutrality in the process, further straining diplomatic efforts.

As Angola steps back, the expanded EAC-SADC panel is expected to reinvigorate mediation efforts and help steer the region toward a sustainable peace deal.