Dar es Salaam: Angolan President Joo Louren§o has ceased his role as mediator in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda conflict, following his recent appointment as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU). This change in mediation was announced after the joint summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), which took place on the 8th of this month in Dar es Salaam.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the summit led to the merging of the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes into what is now known as the EAC-SADC process. As part of the new arrangement, former leaders Uhuro Kenyatta of Kenya, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and Hailemarian Desalegn Boshe of Ethiopia have been appointed as facilitators of the EAC-SADC peace initiative.

The Joint Summit, co-chaired by Zimbabwe's President and SADC Chair Emmerson Mangagwa and Kenya's President and EAC Chair William Ruto, emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to address the conflict. Prior to the summit, meetings were held involving the Chiefs of Defence Forces from EAC partner states in Nairobi and SADC Defence Forces in Dar es Salaam to discuss the security situation in eastern DRC.

The Defense Expert Working Group also conducted discussions, focusing on six main guidelines: an immediate ceasefire, provision of humanitarian aid, opening supply routes, developing a security plan for Goma, reopening Goma Airport, and advising on further interventions. These steps aim to foster peace and stability in the region.

In light of these developments, all parties involved in the conflict are urged to adhere to the ceasefire declared by the EAC-SADC Summit, with specific calls for the M23 group and others to halt any further military advances in the region.