DAR-ES-SALAAM, Tanzania – Regional leaders have agreed to merge the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes in a renewed bid to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The decision, made at the joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit over the weekend, aims to consolidate efforts and strengthen diplomatic engagement in the conflict-ridden region.
The summit resolved to reinforce the two processes separately before integrating them to “enhance complementarity” while emphasizing that direct negotiations between Kinshasa, M23 rebels, and other non-state actors must resume within the merged framework.
President William Ruto, the EAC chairperson, underscored the need for a diplomatic rather than a military solution, calling for a “comprehensive approach” that tackles the root causes of the conflict while safeguarding the DRC’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“We must resist the temptation to think we can somehow shoot and bombard our way into a solution to such a complex situation,” Ruto said in his opening remarks. “Instead, we have to agree that only a comprehensive, diplomatic approach will lead to lasting peace.”
Ruto proposed a “fused, single, and coherent initiative” to address the crisis, warning against parallel efforts that could dilute progress or create unnecessary competition among regional peace efforts.
Kagame’s Concerns Over Process Leadership
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a key figure in regional diplomacy, expressed concerns that the Nairobi and Luanda initiatives had become overly focused on their facilitators rather than achieving tangible results.
“The Nairobi Process became an Uhuru Process, the Luanda Process is like you cannot say anything that will displease President Lourenço,” Kagame said, referencing former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Angolan President João Lourenço, who have been leading the respective peace tracks.
Kagame had previously walked out of the Luanda Process, citing frustrations over its execution.
New Facilitators to Be Appointed
To ensure a more inclusive and effective peace effort, the summit— in consultation with the African Union—directed that additional facilitators from other African regions be appointed to support the merged framework.
Kenyatta, the EAC’s peace facilitator, had earlier urged the resumption of the sidelined Nairobi Process and reaffirmed his commitment to working with the DRC government, regional partners, and international stakeholders to achieve peace.
“The Nairobi and Luanda processes remain critical frameworks for dialogue and conflict resolution in the eastern DRC,” Kenyatta stated in his report to the summit.
The DRC conflict, fueled by armed rebel groups and regional tensions, continues to destabilize the region, making the latest directive a crucial step toward a unified and sustainable resolution.
