Mudavadi calls for urgent action to restore Peace in Eastern DRC
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for renewed regional and international efforts to address the escalating security and humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking in Harare, Zimbabwe, during a joint ministerial meeting of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Mudavadi warned that the situation in eastern DRC is rapidly deteriorating. He cited armed conflict, sexual violence, human rights abuses, and the illicit exploitation of natural resources as major threats to regional stability.
“The security situation remains fragile, and the conflict continues to mutate into serious threats to human dignity and state authority. There is an urgent need for a unified approach to bring lasting peace,” said Mudavadi.
The Harare meeting reviewed the progress of the February 2025 Dar es Salaam resolutions, which merged the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. Mudavadi emphasized the need for a harmonized regional framework to avoid duplication and ensure effective resource mobilization for peace efforts.
He urged all armed groups to cease hostilities immediately and engage in diplomatic dialogue. “All warring factions must recognize that dialogue is the only viable path to sustainable peace,” he stated.
Kenya reiterated its commitment to a non-partisan and African-led peace process. Mudavadi warned against external interference, highlighting the risks posed by foreign mercenaries and unilateral sanctions that undermine regional mechanisms.
The meeting endorsed United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773, which supports African-led peace initiatives in DRC. Additionally, the African Union (AU) proposed the establishment of a Joint AU/EAC/SADC Coordination Mechanism to enhance technical support for mediation efforts.
A key resolution from the Harare discussions was the nomination of former African leaders, including Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), and Hailemariam Desalegn (Ethiopia), to spearhead peace efforts. The meeting also recommended the inclusion of a female leader from the SADC bloc, with final ratification expected at the Heads of State Summit on March 31, 2025.
Mudavadi urged swift action, cautioning that further delays could lead to worsening humanitarian conditions in eastern DRC.