EAC and SADC military chiefs to meet over ceasefire in Eastern DRC

By The Inspirer.

The heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have agreed that their respective military commanders will meet within the next five days to discuss the ongoing conflict in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This decision was made during a special summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025, which focused on finding solutions to the long-standing security issues in eastern DRC.

The heads of state outlined that the military commanders would develop a framework for halting the ongoing fighting and hostilities in the region. They will prepare a report to present to the ministers of defense of the two organizations.

It was decided that, within 30 days, the defense ministers of these countries will meet to discuss the report prepared by the military commanders, which will focus on measures to stop the fighting and aggression between the conflicting parties in eastern DRC.

The heads of state expressed their support for the Nairobi and Luanda peace talks as pathways to resolving the long-running conflicts in the region, urging the DRC government to engage in dialogue with the warring parties, including the M23 rebel group.

They also called for the dismantling of the FDLR terrorist group, which operates in coordination with the DRC government, as agreed upon in the Luanda talks last year between Rwanda, the DRC, and Angola, in order for Rwanda to lift its security measures.

The heads of state from the EAC and SADC also called for the reopening of Goma airport to facilitate humanitarian aid and to plan measures to enhance the security of Goma and its surrounding areas.

To ensure the safety of civilians, they requested the reopening of major roads, including the Goma-Bunagana, Goma-Lubero routes, and the route across Lake Kivu linking Goma and Bukavu.

The heads of state who attended the summit include: Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, Dr. William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Hassan Sheikh Muhamud of Somalia, and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi attended the summit via video link and sent Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka as his representative in Dar es Salaam.