** Towards sustainable stability in Central Africa: the SADC-EAC meeting at the heart of the Congolese crisis **
On March 17, 2024, Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, welcomed a crucial meeting of foreign ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Eastern African Community (EAC). Rich in challenges, this meeting plunges back into the tumult of a security crisis which continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while opening the door to unexplored possibilities for sustainable regional stability.
** A December transition **
If the event initially held in February, its postponement may well prove to be beneficial. Indeed, it allowed the authorities to accumulate more data and analyzes on the evolution of the situation in the east of the DRC and to better prepare the discussions. This context of transition partly reminds us of the history of the peace process in Angola in the 2000s, where regular adjustments of meetings have often made it possible to adapt the strategies to the dynamics of the actors present.
The meeting is based on the recommendations of a previous summit in Dar Es-Salaam, signaling a collective desire to advance discussions on peace. However, as the history of regional interventions recalls, any international or regional support without a strong local commitment has often been only a temporary solution.
** The technical coordination framework: a necessity **
The ministers present in Harare will have to establish a technical coordination mechanism. This approach evokes the creation of similar initiatives elsewhere in Africa, such as the joint force of the G5 Sahel, whose challenges underline the need for a real synergy of actions to deal with transnational threats.
Persistent disagreements between Congolese forces and rebel groups, including M23, question the effectiveness of mediation systems in place. In this sense, consulting not only the belligerents but also the populations affected by the conflict could enrich the debates and better integrate the concerns of citizens in the creation of a roadmap. There are participatory devices that have demonstrated their success in other contexts, such as peace forums in Mali or Somalia, where local voices have made it possible to structure more inclusive dialogues.
** The central role of Angola: mediation in evolution **
The mediation between the government and the rebels of the M23, led by the Angolan president João Lourenço, is part of a wider framework for the search for sustainable solutions. This memorial context reminds us of the (often criticized) involvement of certain countries to resolve conflicts, questioning if this time Angola will be able to get out of its traditional role to play that of a real facilitator.
The date of the ceasefire proposed to clarify the confrontation lines is laudable, but the question remains: how to guarantee the sustainability of this agreement if so many others have failed over the decades? In this context, the role of regional organizations such as the AU or the SADC must be reinforced by post-aging monitoring mechanisms, tools for assessing results, and above all, a requirement of transparency in negotiations.
** Long -term responses to territorial reality **
The sufferings of the populations of the regions of the North and South Kivu, from Goma to Bukavu, is an omnipresent constant. When we talk about the priorities of this meeting, it is imperative to think of not only military, but also social and economic measures. Investment strategies in infrastructure and basic services (education, health care, sustainable agriculture) can reduce the vulnerability of populations to conflict.
Statistics evoke a massive displacement of nearly 5 million people in the region, a reflection of a humanitarian crisis which could perpetuate if long -term solutions are not implemented. A truly integrated approach to socio-economic development must be considered.
** Conclusion: a future to be redefined **
The Harare summit is just one more stage in a series of regional initiatives to send a complex crisis. Mozilla The teachings of a tumultuous past, Central Africa is today a turning point, calling not only to dialogue, but also to a collective reconstruction of the bases of stability.
Through reinforced mechanisms of collaboration, humanitarian support, and inclusion of local voices, it will be possible to build solid foundations for a more peaceful future in the DRC and beyond. The real question remains: will regional actors can seize this opportunity to think outside the box? Beyond the speeches, concrete actions and a long-term commitment would be the key to turning the page of recurring conflicts and paving the way for sustainable development.