President William Ruto chaired a meeting of facilitators for the Luanda-Nairobi peace process, including Kenya’s former head of state Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday, April 2. The session sought to address the conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement, President Ruto confirmed that he chaired a virtual session, which was attended by former President Kenyatta and other former presidents who were appointed as facilitators of the merged Luanda-Nairobi peace process.
“I chaired a virtual meeting of facilitators of the merged Luanda-Nairobi peace process. The facilitators, appointed by the Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), were present.
They include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia), and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic,” the statement read.
Ruto and Uhuru Discuss Conflict in Eastern DRC
This meeting follows the second joint EAC-SADC summit, which took place on Monday, March 25.
During that summit, an agreement was reached to expand the panel of five former African presidents tasked with leading peace efforts in the DRC, following Angola’s formal withdrawal as a mediator in the conflict.
Angola announced its decision to step back from its mediation role, citing a need to focus on broader continental issues in its new position as Chair of the African Union.
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The meeting, co-chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is a follow-up to a joint session held on February 8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam.
President Ruto’s meeting with the facilitators aligned with a previous decision to hold a brief session with the panel within seven days. It was agreed that this meeting should be conducted jointly by SADC, EAC, and the African Union.
At the March 25 meeting, President Ruto highlighted that the leaders from both regional blocs were committed to addressing the escalating conflict, which has resulted in loss of life, the displacement of thousands, and a devastating humanitarian crisis.
President Ruto Commend Kagame and Tshisekedi for Meeting in Qatar
He cautioned that the situation presents significant risks not only to the DRC but also to the stability of the entire region, potentially affecting neighboring countries.
President Ruto commended Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC for their dedication to resolving the conflict, noting their face-to-face meeting that took place in Doha, Qatar.
“This is a clear demonstration on their part that they are equally committed to resolving the conflict in Eastern DRC,” he stated.
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During the last joint summit, several heads of state participated, including Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Tshisekedi (DRC), Kagame (Rwanda), Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), and Yoweri Museveni (UgandaLazarus Chakwera of Malawi and Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania).
Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Téte António, Minister of External Relations of Angola, and Deng Alor Kuol, Minister of East African Community Affairs of South Sudan, were also present.
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