NAIROBI/HARARE, March 25 (NNN-KBC) — The Heads of State and Government of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convene their second joint Summit on Monday (March 24) to address the critical security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The virtual joint Summit was co-chaired by Kenyan President and EAC Chairperson, William Ruto, alongside Zimbabwean President and SADC Chairperson, Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa.
According to a statement, those representing SADC were its “Double Troika” Member States: Zimbabwe (Chair), Angola (former Chair), and Madagascar (incoming Chair); along with the three countries leading the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Affairs: Tanzania (Chair), Malawi (incoming Chair), and Zambia (former Chair).
Additional participants include South Africa (Troop Contributing Country to the SADC Mission in the DRC) and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The joint Summit deliberated on the report presented during the Joint EAC-SADC Ministerial Meeting held on March 17 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Monday’s summit was planned by President Ruto and President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe when they held talks on Saturday, in Windhoek, Namibia.
The leaders agreed to consult and call a virtual meeting between the two regional blocs Monday to discuss the DRC crisis.
In a statement on his X handle, President Ruto noted that EAC and SADC are firmly committed to implementing the resolutions of the joint summit held in February in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on the escalating conflict in Eastern DRC.
“Our primary focus is to address the crisis and deliver lasting peace,” he stated. “In Windhoek, Namibia, held talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, who is also the chair of SADC. We agreed to consult and eventually call a virtual meeting between the two regional blocs next week to discuss the DRC crisis.”
The two leaders further agreed to work together in strengthening regional integration and boosting trade through the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement, which unites the EAC, SADC and COMESA.
“With President Mnangagwa, we also agreed to work together in strengthening regional integration and boosting trade through the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement, which unites the EAC, SADC and COMESA, as well as advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement,” Ruto noted.
Last week’s meeting in Harare reviewed progress on the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Heads of State and Government in Dar es Salaam in February 2025 regarding the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC.
Kenya’s Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who co-chaired the joint ministerial meeting underscored the urgency of bringing all parties to the negotiation table, arguing that dialogue is the only viable path toward sustainable peace in the DRC.
“The escalating humanitarian toll necessitates urgent regional and international intervention to prevent further suffering and displacement. We must consolidate and adopt key resolutions before the situation spirals further out of control,” he added.
Mudavadi further expressed concern over the persistent presence of illegal armed groups, both local and foreign, which continue to fuel insecurity and displace populations.
During the meeting, he reaffirmed Kenya’s position, advocating for a non-partisan, non-coercive, and collective process driven by diplomatic and political initiatives led by African leadership.
“As we look ahead, we must establish mechanisms where African problems are addressed through African-led solutions. Many countries outside Africa are increasingly prioritizing their own affairs, and this is a wake-up call for the continent to take charge of its challenges,” he observed. — NNN-KBC
