The Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDF) from East African Community (EAC) member states have concluded high-level discussions in Nairobi on the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Their deliberations will shape the agenda for the upcoming joint EAC-Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting of defence chiefs, scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam on February 24, 2025, as directed by the Heads of State from both regional blocs.
Rwanda’s delegation to the Nairobi meeting was led by General MK Mubarakh, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). The discussions come at a critical time as the region seeks a coordinated approach to resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, which has seen increased violence involving multiple armed groups.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, emphasized the significance of the meeting as a crucial step in implementing the resolutions of the EAC-SADC Joint Summit held in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.
First step of the implementation of the conclusions of the Joint EAC-SADC Summit, held in Dar es Salaam on 8th February 2025: EAC Chiefs of Defense met today in Nairobi to deliberate on the situation in eastern DRC. A joint EAC-SADC meeting of Chiefs of Defense will meet on Monday 24th February 2025, ahead of a joint ministerial meeting to take place at the end of the month,” he stated.
The joint EAC-SADC engagement underscores the growing recognition that sustainable peace in eastern DRC requires a unified regional response. Both blocs have deployed military and diplomatic efforts to stabilize the area, with an emphasis on regional cooperation and a long-term security framework.
The upcoming Dar es Salaam meeting is expected to consolidate recommendations from the Nairobi deliberations and chart a way forward for joint security operations, conflict resolution, and broader regional stability efforts.
