President William Ruto has urged East and Southern African leaders to move swiftly towards a fully merged and African-led peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that the ongoing violence risks destabilising the region if not urgently addressed.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi during the Joint EAC–SADC Co-Chairs’ Meeting with the Panel of Facilitators for the DRC Peace Process, Ruto said the decision to bring together the Nairobi and Luanda processes into one harmonised EAC–SADC peace platform was driven by the scale and urgency of the crisis in North and South Kivu.

“We call for the urgent merger of the Nairobi and Rwanda peace processes into a single, coherent and harmonised EAC–SADC peace process to serve as a comprehensive, Africa-led political process,” Ruto said on Friday.

The President said the goal of the joint meeting, co-convened with Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa in their roles as SADC and EAC chairs was to brief facilitators on their mandate, which includes guiding inclusive dialogue in eastern DRC and addressing the root causes of the conflict to restore peace.

Ruto welcomed the facilitators and thanked them for accepting what he described as a heavy responsibility. “Your profound wisdom, experience and vast knowledge in peace building, diplomacy and leadership is vital in navigating the complex conflict that has afflicted eastern DRC for decades,” he said.

Ruto said recent escalations in violence had resulted in widespread displacement and suffering, and only a political solution could bring lasting peace.

The merger of regional peace efforts was later endorsed by the African Union, which agreed to integrate the AU-led Luanda process with the Nairobi track to form a single platform supported by EAC, SADC and the AU Commission.

The technical teams from the three institutions have already developed proposals, including a framework for the merger, terms of reference for the facilitators, and a design for the mediation process.

“These documents will guide us on the way forward with respect to formally launching the interventions by our panel of facilitators,” Ruto said.

He praised recent diplomatic breakthroughs under the Washington peace accord and the Doha Declaration of Principles, saying they showed that dialogue can work.

“Allow me to sincerely commend the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madam Thérèse Wagner, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, the Honorable Olivia Dungi, who is right here with us, for their leadership on this milestone,” he said.

Ruto called on the facilitators to integrate elements of the Doha and Washington efforts into the unified mediation plan and to work closely with the African Union mediator.

“We believe that a sustained, coordinated, Africa-led peace process remains the first pathway to a stable and peaceful eastern DRC,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming the commitment of EAC and SADC leadership to the process.

“We took the historic step, the first time ever on this continent to bring two regional economic blocs together to facilitate the resolution of the conflict in eastern DRC, because we realised that this was a situation threatening to destabilise the whole region, said the head of state.

“Let us remain committed and solidify our joint strength to ensure that we leave a lasting legacy of peace within eastern DRC and our region,” Ruto said.