The joint Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)–East Africa Community (EAC) Heads of State and Government Summit on the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has directed the resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties.

According to a communique issued on Saturday, February 8, 2025, just after the end of the joint summit that was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the negotiations will include the M23 rebels under the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process.

The Luanda/Nairobi process was formed following the merger of the Nairobi peace process led by retired president Uhuru Kenyatta with the Luanda peace process.

“The Joint Summit directed resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties (military and non-military), including the M23, under the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process,” part of the communique read.

Implementation of CONOPS

The Joint Summit also called for the implementation of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) of the harmonized plan for neutralization of FDLR and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures/disengagement of forces from the DRC, as agreed in the Luanda process.

“The Joint Summit called for the implementation of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) of the harmonized plan for neutralization of FDLR and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures/disengagement of forces from the DRC as agreed in the Luanda process. The Joint Summit directed that a Joint Meeting of Ministers of EAC and SADC convene within thirty days to deliberate on: (a) the Report of the Joint Meeting of CDFs on the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities; (b) establishment of a secretariat-level technical coordination mechanism to monitor implementation of the Joint Summit Decisions; (c) an elaborate roadmap detailing immediate, medium, and long-term implementation measures, including financing modalities,” the statement from the Joint Summit read.

Ruto on DRC conflict

President William Ruto, who chaired the Joint Summit, said the conflict in the Eastern DRC cannot be resolved militarily.

Ruto, in a statement shared via his official X account on Saturday, February 8, 2025, said that all parties involved must cease hostilities and embrace dialogue, noting that the EAC and SADC will jointly push for a peaceful resolution.

“The conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo—driven by historical, economic, and political factors—cannot be resolved militarily. All parties involved must cease hostilities and embrace dialogue. The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will jointly push for a peaceful resolution, prioritizing cooperation and civilian protection,” President Ruto stated.

The conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo — driven by historical, economic, and political factors — cannot be resolved militarily.

All parties involved must cease hostilities and embrace dialogue.

The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African… pic.twitter.com/oJkEDwyp1k

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 8, 2025

EAC-SADC Joint Summit

The African leaders agreed to meet urgently following their respective extraordinary summits held last month to deliberate on the way forward regarding the conflict in the DRC.

The summit was attended by nine heads of state, who included Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Kenya’s William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu, Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and DR Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi, who joined virtually.

Burundi’s Evariste Ndayishimiye was represented by the country’s Prime Minister, Lieutenant General Gervais Ndirakobuca.