Appointment of Former Leaders to Facilitate Peace Process in DRC

African nations have appointed former leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria to oversee a peace process in the DRC amid escalating violence from the M23 rebel group. The situation in eastern Congo is increasingly dire, prompting the ICC to investigate. The EAC and SADC are consolidating peace efforts, aiming for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery.

Addis Ababa, February 26, 2025 (ENA)—Former leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria have been appointed by African nations to facilitate a new peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These leaders are ex-Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, ex-Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, and ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Concurrently, an International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has arrived to investigate the alarming rise in violence in the region.

The M23 rebel group has made significant advancements in eastern DRC, having recently captured two major cities. This escalation marks a troubling chapter in a region plagued by conflict for nearly three decades, resulting in millions of casualties. Karim Khan, the ICC prosecutor, expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating situation, particularly in eastern Congo, during his arrival in Kinshasa.

In response to the ongoing violence, two regional African coalitions—the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—have initiated efforts for a ceasefire. During a summit on February 8, these organizations agreed to unite their separate peace processes based in Luanda and Nairobi. The immediate objectives include an unconditional ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and securing the Goma airport.

DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka reported that since January, over 7,000 individuals have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict. The accuracy of this statistic remains unverified, highlighting the challenges of monitoring the situation amid rising violence.

In summary, the appointment of former leaders to facilitate peace talks in the DRC comes in the wake of significant violence attributed to the M23 rebel group. The collaborative efforts of the EAC and SADC aim for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian support. With rising casualties reported, the urgency of diplomatic and humanitarian intervention is paramount to restoring stability in the region.

Original Source: www.ena.et