African Leaders Unite Behind Single AU-Led Peace Initiative for Eastern Congo Crisis

Nairobi ,Kenya ,August 2, 2025

In a landmark move to address the prolonged conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), African leaders on Friday resolved to consolidate ongoing peace efforts into one unified, Africa-led initiative.
The resolution was adopted during a high-level meeting co-chaired by President William Ruto of Kenya and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe. The two leaders, representing the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) respectively, announced the merger of all existing mediation frameworks under the leadership of the African Union (AU), headquartered in Addis Ababa.

“There is now one African-led process that brings on board all the other initiatives Nairobi, Luanda and any other into one coherent process on the situation in Eastern DRC,” President Ruto stated during the summit. He described the agreement as a « turning point » in efforts to stabilize the region.
The decision to merge the secretariat and mediation structures of the EAC, SADC, and AU marks a significant step toward resolving one of Africa’s longest-running and deadliest conflicts. The unified framework aims to streamline negotiations, improve coordination among stakeholders, and enhance the credibility of Africa’s response to the crisis.
President Ruto emphasized the urgency of the situation, describing it as “dire,” with far-reaching humanitarian and regional security consequences. “There is a humanitarian situation, there is a serious security situation and instability that not only affects Eastern DRC, not only affects DRC and Rwanda, but also affects our region,” he warned.

The conflict in eastern Congo, driven by ethnic tensions and competition over vast mineral wealth, has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of over 7 million people in recent years. The M23 rebel group, the most prominent armed faction in the region, launched a major offensive earlier this year, exacerbating the crisis.
In July, under Qatari facilitation, representatives of the Congolese government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels signed a declaration of principles aimed at establishing a permanent ceasefire. The African Union hailed the agreement as a “major milestone” in peace efforts.
Separately, a U.S. brokered deal was signed at the State Department in Washington, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood alongside the foreign ministers of Rwanda and Congo. Rubio described the accord as “an important moment after 30 years of war.”

Despite these diplomatic efforts, the security landscape remains volatile, and the consolidation of peace initiatives under the AU is seen as a critical step to break the cycle of violence.

Analysts and observers have welcomed the move as a long-overdue effort to harmonize Africa’s response and place the continent at the center of resolving its own security challenges. With the AU now leading a single, coordinated peace initiative, hopes are rising for a more sustainable resolution to the conflict.

Emebet Asefa Correspondent