Regional leaders, diplomats, and mediation experts have concluded a critical three-day summit in Botswana aimed at aligning scattered peace initiatives and restoring stability to the conflict-torn eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The high-level harmonisation meeting was co-hosted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the Government of Botswana. The talks brought together representatives from SADC, the East African Community, and the AU Panel of Facilitators to establish a unified operational strategy for the coming months.
Chaired by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who heads the AU Panel of Facilitators, the gathering focused on drafting a six-month strategic roadmap to address escalating violence and break the deadlock in current mediation efforts.
Addressing delegates, Obasanjo emphasised that lasting stability can only be achieved through genuine cooperation among regional blocs, urging participants to prioritise practical action over rhetoric. He reiterated that African-led solutions remain the most viable path to resolving the prolonged crisis in the Great Lakes region.
The urgency of the summit comes against the backdrop of deteriorating security in eastern DRC, marked by frequent ceasefire violations, a worsening humanitarian crisis, and growing public health concerns. Regional representatives noted that the ongoing conflict continues to undermine cross-border trade and broader economic integration across Southern and Central Africa.
Botswana’s Minister of International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale, highlighted the broader economic stakes for the continent, noting that a secure and stable DRC is vital for regional development and the long-term goals of the AU’s Agenda 2063.
The meeting drew significant diplomatic weight, featuring key figures from the African peace architecture. Among those in attendance were former President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi, former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, former Central African Republic Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza, and former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye.
Delegates agreed to streamline the operations of the Independent Joint Secretariat and enhance direct co-ordination between mediators on the ground, signaling a renewed, collective push to enforce existing ceasefire agreements and reopen channels for political dialogue.
–ChannelAfrica/SADC–
