Eastern and Southern African countries expand mediation team for DRC peace talks! Eastern and southern African nations seeking to broker peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have strengthened their team of presidential mediators in an effort to halt the ongoing conflict.
The decision was made following a virtual summit on Monday, as regional leaders intensify pressure to stop the fighting.
Joint Efforts by EAC and SADC
The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—which together represent 24 countries—joined forces in early February to coordinate peace efforts. Their involvement comes in response to the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has seized vast territories in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. The rapid expansion of M23 forces has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
New Team of Negotiators Announced
Following Monday’s virtual summit, a revised team of facilitators was introduced to lead the peace negotiations.
The new mediation team now includes:
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Uhuru Kenyatta (Former President of Kenya)
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Olusegun Obasanjo (Former President of Nigeria)
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Sahle-Work Zewde (Former President of Ethiopia) – replacing Hailemariam Desalegn
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Kgalema Motlanthe (Former President of South Africa)
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Catherine Samba-Panza (Former President of the Central African Republic)
The expansion from three to five members was intended to improve gender, regional, and language inclusivity, according to the official communique issued after the summit.
The EAC, SADC, and African Union (AU) have also scheduled another high-level meeting within the next seven days to further discuss the conflict and seek solutions.
Angola Steps Down as Mediator
Previously, peace talks between Rwanda and the DRC had been hosted by Angola, but on Monday, Angola announced that it would no longer serve as a mediator.
Angola had been expected to host a crucial peace meeting on March 18, but at the last minute, the talks were cancelled after M23 rebels withdrew in protest over European Union sanctions on some of their top leaders.
The sudden collapse of the Angola-hosted talks left the peace process in uncertainty.
Qatar’s Surprise Diplomatic Move
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the government of Qatar unexpectedly hosted a closed-door meeting between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi on the same day the Angola talks were cancelled.
Qatar later announced that both leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. However, whether this pledge will hold remains uncertain, given the ongoing M23 advances.
M23 Rebels Continue to Gain Ground
Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting has not stopped.
Last week, M23 forces captured the town of Walikale, a key mining hub in eastern DRC. This is the furthest west the group has advanced into the DRC interior since 2012.
The continued military gains by M23 indicate that the ceasefire agreement remains fragile and that more intense diplomatic pressure will be required to prevent further escalation.
What’s Next for the Peace Process?
With the newly expanded team of negotiators and another peace summit expected within a week, the international community is closely watching whether the EAC, SADC, and AU can successfully broker a lasting ceasefire.
The situation remains highly volatile, and while efforts are being made at the diplomatic level, the real test will be whether all parties, including M23, the DRC government, and Rwanda, are willing to respect the ceasefire and engage in genuine negotiations.
For now, the conflict in eastern DRC remains one of Africa’s most pressing crises, with millions affected and regional stability at stake.
