Uhuru Kenyatta appointed as EAC-SADC peace facilitator for eastern DRC

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been chosen as one of the facilitators for the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) joint peace efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He will work alongside former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

This appointment was announced after a Joint Summit of EAC and SADC Heads of State held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025. The meeting was led by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Kenya's President William Ruto.

According to a statement shared by President Ruto on January 24, 2025, both EAC and SADC leaders have been working together to find solutions for restoring peace in eastern DRC. The statement read in part:

"His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of SADC, and His Excellency, Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chairperson of the EAC have continued engaging on the progress in the restoration of peace and security and in consultation with SADC and EAC Heads of State and Government have agreed on the appointment of H.E Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta former President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and H.E Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, the former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as Facilitators of the EAC–SADC peace process (the merged Luanda and Nairobi processes) in Eastern DRC."

To address security concerns, the EAC Chiefs of Defense Forces (CDFs) held a meeting in Nairobi on February 21, 2025, while SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces met in Dar es Salaam to discuss the same issue.

"Preparatory Meetings of the EAC Chiefs of Defense Forces (CDFs) from the EAC Partner States were held in Nairobi on 21st February 2025 to discuss the ongoing security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Meeting of the SADC Chief of Defense Forces on the same subject also convened in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The meetings followed a directive from the joint EAC-SADC Heads of State Summit on 8th February 2025 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania."

Before this, defense experts from the EAC had a two-day discussion to find ways to improve security in Eastern DRC. Their discussions focused on six key areas, including an immediate ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid, reopening main roads, and securing Goma and nearby areas. The statement continued:

"Prior to the Meeting, the EAC Defense Experts Working Group held two days of discussions on the situation in Eastern DRC. The meeting was guided by six key directives: Immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities; provision of humanitarian assistance; opening of main supply routes; development of a securitization plan for Goma and surrounding areas; and immediate reopening of Goma Airport and advice on other facilitative interventions."

Following these discussions, all groups involved in the conflict, including the M23 rebel group, have been urged to stop fighting and follow the ceasefire directive.

"Considering the above developments, all actors are urged to observe the ceasefire announced by the EAC-SADC Summit, and the M23 and all other actors are called upon to cease any further advancements in Eastern DRC and to observe and abide by an immediate ceasefire."

Since stepping down from the presidency, Uhuru has taken on several important roles. In February 2023, he led the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) during Nigeria's General Elections.

Later, in March 2024, he was appointed as a board member of the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, an annual platform where African leaders and experts discuss security solutions for the continent. Additionally, he previously served as the Facilitator of the East African Community-led Nairobi Peace Process.