SADC Advocates for Broader Facilitation in DRC Peace Mediation

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has expressed reservations about Kenya’s proposed facilitator list for the DRC peace process, urging a more inclusive panel. This reflects SADC’s desire for regional balance and consultation amid Kenya’s ambitions in diplomacy. The discourse emphasizes the complications arising from regional rivalries in addressing African conflicts.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for a more inclusive panel of peace facilitators regarding the mediation process in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), thereby expressing reservations about the earlier facilitator list proposed by President William Ruto of Kenya. This request highlights SADC’s concerns surrounding Kenya’s ambitions to dominate the peace process.

During a joint meeting between the East African Community (EAC) and SADC in Harare, no explicit individuals were criticized; however, the communiqué’s insistence on an “expanded panel of facilitators” reflects discomfort with Kenya’s assertive diplomatic stance. Kenya’s draft list included prominent figures but has not received formal SADC approval, resulting in apprehension within the Southern bloc.

SADC is advocating for an inclusive representation that ensures regional balance and gender diversity. Kinshasa has suggested adding former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde to the facilitator lineup as a counter to the perceived biases associated with former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. This push signals to Nairobi that its existing facilitator list lacks broader consensus and may necessitate a strategic recalibration.

The current debate over the facilitator roles underscores significant geopolitical dynamics, with Kenya eager to consolidate its influence in continental diplomacy while SADC emphasizes the need for process and balanced consultation. The discussions in Harare aimed at harmonizing mediation efforts inadvertently revealed how regional rivalries could hinder achieving African-led solutions to African challenges.

In conclusion, the Southern African Development Community’s call for a more inclusive panel of peace facilitators reflects the growing tensions surrounding Kenya’s leading role in the DRC mediation process. The insistence on regional balance and broader consensus indicates that Kenya may need to reassess its approach to effectively engage with other regional players. The situation highlights the complexities of geopolitical dynamics in effectively resolving African conflicts.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke