COMMUNIQUE OF THE 2ND JOINT EAC-SADC SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT

March 24, 2025 – Regional leaders convened virtually for the 2nd Joint Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address the escalating security crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

High-Level Participation

The historic meeting was co-chaired by:

• H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya (EAC Chairperson)
• H.E. Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe (SADC Chairperson)

The summit saw participation from 13 African nations, including:

• DRC President Félix Tshisekedi
• South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa
• Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame
• Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan
• Representatives from Angola, South Sudan, and Somalia

Key Decisions and Roadmap

The summit adopted critical measures to address the DRC crisis:

1. Endorsed the Joint Ministers’ Report from March 17, 2025 meeting
2. Approved a comprehensive Roadmap with immediate, medium and long-term peace measures
3. Directed urgent implementation by all relevant parties

Appointment of High-Level Facilitators

To ensure inclusive mediation, the summit appointed a distinguished Panel of Facilitators:

• H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo (Former Nigerian President)
• H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (Former Kenyan President)
• H.E. Kgalema Motlanthe (Former South African President)
• H.E. Catherine Samba Panza (Former CAR President)
• H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde (Former Ethiopian President)

Next Steps

The summit mandated:

• Immediate notification to appointed facilitators
• Briefing session within 7 days involving EAC, SADC and AU
• Communication of outcomes to African Union and UN Security Council

The leaders expressed appreciation for the preparatory work by EAC and SADC secretariats and reaffirmed their commitment to lasting peace in the region.

Issued virtually on March 24, 2025, in English, French and Portuguese (all texts equally authentic).

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