The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has expressed resistance to Kenya’s lead role in mediating peace in the DRC, advocating for a broader and more inclusive facilitator panel. This reaction follows a previous list issued by President Ruto without formal SADC approval, highlighting concerns about Kenya’s dominant position. The call for balance and inclusion, including gender diversity, illustrates the importance of consensus in regional diplomacy.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has signaled resistance to Kenya’s leading role in mediating peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), urging a more inclusive facilitator panel. This call comes in response to a list released by Kenyan President William Ruto, revealing underlying tensions regarding Kenya’s assertive diplomacy in the Nairobi-Luanda process merger.
During a joint ministerial meeting in Harare, SADC refrained from assigning blame or naming specific individuals, yet the request for an “expanded panel of facilitators” illustrates concerns over Kenya’s perceived dominance. This meeting highlighted the need for broader engagement in the peace process surrounding DRC.
President Ruto previously issued a facilitator list featuring prominent African leaders, including former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, the document carried both EAC and SADC insignias without formal approval from SADC, raising questions about the consensus and integration of regional perspectives.
SADC is now advocating for a balance that includes gender diversity in the peace facilitation team. The Congolese government has suggested former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde as a potential facilitator, replacing Hailemariam Desalegn, who is seen as overly aligned with Rwanda. This suggestion highlights the ongoing need for consensus and collaboration in regional mediation efforts.
The discourse surrounding the facilitators underlines larger geopolitical tensions, as Kenya aspires to solidify its influence in diplomacy within Africa, while SADC reiterates the importance of inclusive processes. The outcomes of the Harare meeting illustrate how regional rivalries can inhibit progress toward resolving African conflicts through African solutions.
In conclusion, the SADC’s push for a more inclusive and balanced panel of peace facilitators signals an essential correction to Kenya’s unilateral approach to the DRC peace mediation. President Ruto’s earlier facilitator list, lacking formal approval from SADC, demonstrates the complexities involved in regional diplomacy. This situation emphasizes the need for consensus and collaboration among African nations in addressing contemporary conflicts and pursuing sustainable peace.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
