### Diplomatic meetings and peace negotiations: the great African chessboard
While the region of southern Africa is preparing for a joint meeting of the Foreign Ministers of SADC and EAC, the post-conference dynamic reveals more than a simple intention of peace. The situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo is more than a simple geopolitical picture: it is a reflection of the best and the worst practices in terms of regional diplomacy.
#### A change of date: symbolic and pragmatism
The reprogramming of La Réunion, initially scheduled for February 28 and moved to March 17, 2025, does not only re -enter discussions. It testifies to a constantly evolving diplomatic environment, where tenacity is sometimes put to the test by the realities on the ground. Beyond logistics, this change highlights the importance of a predictable political calendar in the face of the volatile situation on the ground, where the rebellion of the M23 continues to spread.
Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs, stresses that this month of March being “blessed” thanks to the advancement of peace initiatives. However, observers cannot help but assess this faith on the basis of past progress, without forgetting the constant failures of previous initiatives which, in the past, have often left vulnerable populations in a state of despair.
#### Conflict Kinshasa-M23: more than just armed problem
Rhetoric surrounding the conflict between the Congolese government and the M23 has often been presented through the prism of military confrontation. However, socio -political reality is much more nuanced. The M23 does not only raise militarist claims; It is part of a complex fabric of historical grievances, economic inequalities and institutional fragility in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is relevant to recall that beyond the cessation of hostilities, fundamental measures of redistribution of resources and national reconciliation are necessary to stabilize the region in the long term.
Statistics speak for themselves. According to reports from the United Nations, nearly 5.6 million people are moved to the DRC because of armed conflicts. By analyzing demographic and economic data, it is obvious that the majority of victims are women and children, often left without access to health care, education and economic opportunities.
### The sense of multilateral engagement
The SADC-EAC joint meeting therefore imposed itself not only as a platform for political exchanges, but also as a laboratory for multilateral strategies. In a context where external actors are often perceived as intruders, the insistence on unreserved support for a process led by Africans could mark a decisive turning point.
Compare this approach with the commitment of the United Nations in other African conflicts can offer precious lessons. Initiatives like the peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire have shown that an external intervention, when it is well orchestrated, can help stabilize a situation for organizational recovery.
### After the Dar es Salam: waiting resolutions
The resolutions drawn from the summit of Dar es Salam remain pending application, giving way to concerns about the seriousness of the commitments made. The promise of a roadmap accompanied by concrete implementation measures in the short and long term remains to be materialized. The peace market requires more than a simple symbolic coin; It requires tangible measures to soothe tensions on the ground.
The discussions around the technical coordination mechanism at the secretarial level add a layer of interest. The implementation of such mechanisms requires transparency and responsibility that few other processes have managed to establish in similar contexts.
### Dialogue as a merger tool
The direct dialogue between Kinshasa and the M23, scheduled for March 18 in Luanda, constitutes a crucial attempt to establish a constructive contact point. Pacific revolutions in Africa, such as those observed in Tunisia or South Africa, show that dialogue is often the cement of a national union. However, the true success of this initiative depends on the sincerity of the intentions of the two parties.
Angola, as a mediator, has an arduous task, but his neutral position in the conflict could help him navigate in the complexities of this mediation. It is a strategic opportunity for proactive diplomacy focused on sustainable resolution, and not on temporary compromises.
#### Conclusion
The road to peace in Africa, and in particular in the DRC, remains dotted with pitfalls. However, the confluence of multiple dialogues, multilateral commitments and a multitude of actors can open the way to a more serene future. History teaches us that each conflict has its own dynamic and that there are often lessons to learn from historical precedents. Who will persist in hope and tenacity in front of the storm is the question that the leaders of SADC, EAC and DRC must answer in the days to come. The hope of lasting peace is based on their ability to transform the intention into a tangible action, while keeping in mind the priority of human lives at the heart of each decision.