Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) gathered recently for the 24th Ordinary Summit, held in the picturesque city of Arusha, Tanzania, where discussions focused heavily on the urgent need for peace initiatives concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This summit, which included heads of state from several EAC member countries, laid bare the challenges and ambitious plans to restore stability and safety to the region.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania opened the discussions with stirring remarks about the strength of unity among East Africans. She called for collective pride and efforts, emphasizing the necessity for collaboration to tackle the diverse challenges facing their nations. "For the East African countries, we take pride in our community. This is because the light of hope is very bright ahead of us," she declared. Her message underscored the notion of unity as not just beneficial, but imperative for progress.
The summit took place against the backdrop of the troubling situation in eastern DRC, where violence has persisted and escalated. Notably, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was absent from the discussions, raising eyebrows and fueling speculation about his country's involvement with regional dynamics. The DRC government has accused the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group of engaging in acts of ethnic cleansing within its mineral-rich territories, which adds layers of complexity to the EAC's peace efforts.
A significant stride toward peace emerged from the summit's resolutions, with leaders pledging to harmonize various peace initiatives currently underway. Notably, they aim to merge the Luanda Process with the Nairobi Process for broader collective action. According to the summit's communiqué, there is recognized need for joint meetings between the EAC and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to discuss collaborative strategies moving forward.
"Due to the intricacies of the parallel processes, the summit called for the coordination of various initiatives to be combined and operated as one," the communiqué stated. This reflects not only the urgency of the situation but also the determination of the regional bloc to address the matter holistically. The EAC secretariat has been tasked to facilitate these initiatives, with expectations set for progress by April 30 of the following year.
Now under the leadership of newly-elected Chairperson William Ruto, President of Kenya, the EAC is expected to forge new paths toward increasing regional cooperation and ensuring sustainable peace. Ruto has reiterated the need for collaboration on matters of security and economic collaboration, stating, "Our community’s stability is rooted in peace, security, political accountability and good governance." His commitment emphasizes the intertwining of economic progress and peace management.
President Ruto also stressed the importance of trade and investment as routes to prosperity, showcasing how the EAC can facilitate growth for its member states. He highlighted current trade figures, noting how small business owners can now easily trade across borders, enhancing the economic fabric of the region. He articulated, "Peace and political accountability form the cornerstone of our community’s stability. To achieve these goals, we must continue strengthening regional mechanisms."
The issues of sustainable financing to support EAC operations and the recognition of additional languages, including Kiswahili and French, were also addressed during the summit. The incorporation of these languages aims to reflect the region's diversity, catering to the linguistic needs of its member nations, which is particularly pertinent with the recent admission of new members.
Despite the hopeful advances, the backdrop of conflict looms large over discussions as violence continues to erupt intermittently, with opposing militia groups putting the peace efforts to the test. The overall sentiment during the summit indicated cautious optimism amid the pressing need for concrete, actionable agreements to avert the humanitarian crises exacerbated by these conflicts.
With all eyes fixed on the EAC's strategies for peace, member states reflect on the expectations of their populace for progress and security. The meeting concluded with renewed hopes directed toward the future of East Africa, highlighting the importance of unity against the challenges. The leaders embrace the notion of fighting together for peace, security, and economic vitality, acknowledging the interconnectedness of their destinies.
At the heart of the summit's discussions was the urgent plea for collaboration to bring about lasting peace not just for the DRC but for the entire Eastern African region, reinforcing the idea of unity as the fundamental truth guiding the EAC's future actions. The collective resolve from the president’s speeches and the summit's resolutions indicates both recognition of the challenges faced and the embracing of the opportunities inherent in working together.
