The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have joined forces to address the escalating security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a significant step in regional cooperation.
The Joint Meeting of Ministers from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened on 17 March in Harare, Zimbabwe, to address the security crisis in the DRC. This meeting followed directives issued during the Joint EAC-SADC Summit held on 8 February and aimed to assess progress in implementing decisions aimed at stabilising the region. High-ranking officials from numerous member states attended, demonstrating the urgency of the crisis and the necessity for a coordinated regional response.
During the meeting, Ministers examined a report from the Joint Chiefs of Defence, which outlined the deteriorating security situation in the eastern DRC. The resurgence of armed groups, notably the M23, has led to the occupation of critical territories, including Goma and Bukavu, the provincial capitals of North and South Kivu provinces respectively.
The conflict has severely disrupted humanitarian efforts, displaced vast numbers of civilians, and impeded access to vital infrastructure such as the Goma and Kavumu airports. With continued hostilities exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and raising fears of regional spill-over, the urgency of a collective and decisive intervention was underscored.
The recent decision by the SADC Summit on 13 March to terminate the SAMIDRC mission added to the complexity of the situation, with Ministers recognising the need to ensure an orderly withdrawal process, while preventing a security vacuum, which could lead to further escalation. In response, a comprehensive roadmap was developed to guide intervention, structured into immediate, medium-term, and long-term measures, according to a post-summit communique.
Immediate actions within the next 30 days include initiating direct military engagement to enforce an unconditional ceasefire, reopening Goma and Kavumu airports to facilitate humanitarian access, and establishing a Joint EAC-SADC Verification Mechanism to monitor compliance with ceasefire agreements.
A Joint Field Technical Assessment Team, composed of experts in military operations, intelligence, logistics, aviation, and civil works, will be deployed to assess security conditions and humanitarian needs in North and South Kivu.
Over the next 30 to 120 days, the strategy will focus on confidence-building measures, political negotiations, and enhanced regional cooperation. This will involve engagement with conflict parties under a unified EAC-SADC framework, the formal declaration of a permanent ceasefire, and diplomatic efforts to secure United Nations support in strengthening MONUSCO’s mandate for peacekeeping operations. Additionally, efforts will be made to coordinate regional security forces to ensure stability in conflict-affected areas.
Beyond the 120-day mark, long-term measures are aimed at strengthening the DRC’s security forces, restoring state authority in previously occupied territories, and addressing the root causes of the conflict. These efforts will include socio-economic development programmes, infrastructure reconstruction, and initiatives aimed at political reconciliation and long-term peacebuilding. The goal is to ensure that the DRC regains full control over its territory while creating conditions that prevent future insurgencies, according to the EAC-SADC.
The Joint Meeting of Ministers placed significant emphasis on political engagement, recognising that military efforts alone will not resolve the crisis. Ministers further agreed to merge the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes under the oversight of the African Union, in order to create a unified diplomatic approach. The EAC and SADC Secretariats were tasked with finalising a political framework to achieve this by 25 March 2025.
Further directives were issued for urgent discussions with the African Union and key stakeholders to expedite the process by 31 March 2025. Ministers also called for the appointment of an expanded Panel of Facilitators to support the peace process, ensuring gender and linguistic inclusivity. Strengthening collaboration with international organisations, including the United Nations, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the Economic Community of Central African States, was identified as a crucial step in securing broader support for peace efforts.
To ensure the effective implementation of these decisions, a Joint Technical Coordination Mechanism will be established to oversee progress, provide technical support, and ensure alignment with the African Union Commission and other international partners. This mechanism is expected to be operational by 25 March 2025 and will include committees focused on politics, peace, security, and defence.
Another key outcome of the meeting was the review of a draft Memorandum of Understanding between EAC and SADC. This document aims to formalise technical cooperation between the two regional blocs and enhance the coordination of peace initiatives in the DRC. Member states were given until 14 April 2025 to provide final input, after which a virtual meeting of senior officials will be convened to approve the agreement.
The Joint Meeting of Ministers has reaffirmed the commitment of both regional blocs to restoring peace in Eastern DRC through a co-ordinated approach, integrating military, political, and humanitarian efforts. The structured roadmap reflects an urgent need for immediate intervention while laying the groundwork for long-term stability, according to the EAC-SADC communique.
