East African Community (EAC) and South African Development Community (SADC)

The East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) are regional blocs leading diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These organizations have been working to merge their respective peace processes—the Kenyan-mediated Nairobi process and the Angolan-mediated Luanda process—to create a comprehensive approach. The Nairobi process focuses on dialogue between the DRC and armed groups, while the Luanda process aims to broker peace between the DRC and Rwanda.

The EAC-SADC peace initiatives face challenges in implementing short-term ceasefires and long-term peace agreements. Previous peacekeeping efforts in the region have failed due to political tensions and mistrust. The EAC and SADC appear to lack the capacity for forceful intervention in the conflict. SADC has confined most of its 1,300-strong force to their bases since suffering casualties during M23's capture of Goma in January 2025. Several SADC troop-contributing countries have called for complete withdrawal, with defense ministers acknowledging that their forces are "unable to fight" against M23.

Despite these challenges, the blocs have appointed three high-profile facilitators—former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn—to lead their merged peace process.

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The East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) are regional blocs leading diplomatic efforts to resol... Show More