DRC: EAC and SADC relaunch mediation after Angolan initiative abandoned

Following the failure of Angolan mediation, the heads of state of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have decided to take charge of the search for a lasting solution to the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

On Monday March 24, the two organizations held a virtual joint summit to relaunch stabilization efforts in eastern DRC, after the Angolan initiative came to a halt. João Lourenço, President of Angola, announced the end of this mediation to focus on the priorities of the African Union (AU), following the partial withdrawal of the M23 rebel group from the strategic town of Walikale, in North Kivu.

To take over, a group of high-level mediators has been appointed, comprising Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa), Catherine Samba Panza (Central African Republic) and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia).

The end of Angola’s involvement survives in a context where Qatar is becoming a major diplomatic player. On March 18, a trilateral meeting took place in Doha between Félix Tshisekedi, Paul Kagame and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

On the ground, the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) are closely monitoring the M23 withdrawal, remaining on the alert to prevent any escalation. However, tensions persist over the parties’ commitments and the involvement of foreign forces.