### A roadmap for peace: conflict in eastern DRC under the eye of regional blocks
On March 17, 2025, in Harare, the joint ministerial meeting of the Development Community of Southern Africa (SADC) and the Eastern African Community (EAC) adopted a roadmap aimed at solving the armed conflict which ravaged the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This initiation of a dialogue between the actors involved, although encouraged, questions and raises questions regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of these measures in a historical context of geopolitical tensions and complexities.
#### Conflict with multiple faces
The conflict in eastern DRC is not limited to a simple opposition between the regular army and the rebellious M23 movement. The latter, suspected of being supported by Rwanda, relies on a fertile breeding ground for economic inequalities, massive exdes and rooted poverty, exacerbated by decades of instability. To fully understand the scope of this meeting, it would be wise to take an interest in the origins of this conflict, as well as the interaction of international and regional actors.
Historically, the Kivu region was marked by the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which caused a complex dynamic of human migration, ethnic rivalries and struggles for natural resources. The DRC, rich in minerals, saw its riches coveted by various internal and external actors, creating a cycle of violence which seems endless.
### The roadmap: a suspended plan or a course towards lasting peace?
The roadmap adopted in Harare is available in immediate, medium -term and long -term measures. At first, the actors engage in an unconditional ceasefire in 30 days, as well as the opening of humanitarian corridors and infrastructure such as the airports of Goma and Kavumu. Although these measures are essential for a first de -escalation of tensions, their effective implementation will depend on the real will of the belligerents and their ability to maintain a constructive dialogue.
Indeed, the spirit of compromise and consensus still seems distant in a region where distrust between the different parties is as palpable as the absence of state authority. The presence of a SADC-EAC joint verification mechanism to monitor the implementation of decisions could strengthen the responsibility of the stakeholders, but its effectiveness will be minimal if factions, like the M23, wish only one thing: the territorial conquest.
#### Logistics and operational challenges
The proposal to build up a joint technical assessment team of the SADC and EAC is a step in the right direction. However, the success of this initiative is largely based on the logistical capacity of the forces involved and the availability of resources. This challenge is all the more urgent given the volatility of the situation on the ground.
It will be essential to assess whether military and civilian experts can actually access conflict areas where distrust reigns. Compared, the role played by similar evaluation missions in other conflicts has often been criticized for their slowness and their lack of operational strategy. In Bosnia, for example, stabilization missions have often been hampered by inextricable political divisions and local dynamics.
###Ove a perspective on foreign intervention
It would be unlikely to ignore the pernicious involvement of neighboring countries in this conflict. The accusations that Rwanda supports M23 underline the need for real regional diplomacy. The history of military support often involve considerable economic interests. Rwanda, very committed to the exploitation of the eastern resources of the DRC, may well have strategic incentives to maintain the status quo.
By creating a sustainable peace alliance, SADC and EAC member states will not only have to collaborate to deal with security threats, but they must also start to think about mechanisms to generate a climate of trust with neighboring countries. This could involve joint security and development investments that would benefit all parties involved.
#### Conclusion: Towards a lasting peace or a repetitive cycle?
The roadmap adopted at this meeting could be seen as a new start for dialogue and negotiation for a peaceful solution. However, relapse in the attempted military domination is never far away. To avoid a perpetual cycle of violence and dead end, it is imperative that the international community, as well as neighboring states, support the efforts of mediation and construction of local capacities.
The path to lasting peace in the DRC must go through an understanding of the economic and socio -political issues which are at the origin of this conflict. It is only by placing the needs and aspirations of populations at the center of the debate that we will manage to bring out a truly lasting peace. The responsibility is now liability for the SADC and the EAC, as well as each actor involved, to transform this roadmap into a real peace project at the service of the Congolese and the region.