In an effort to tackle the escalating tensions in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a Quadripartite Summit of Heads of State and Government was held in Luanda, Angola. The summit, attended by high-level representatives from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICRGL), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), aimed to discuss strategies for pacifying the volatile situation in eastern DRC.
During the summit, Azali Assoumani, the acting president of the African Union, emphasized the need for concerted efforts to transform the DRC into a source of happiness rather than conflict. He expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in the country, highlighting the potential repercussions for the entire continent.
The ongoing military tension in eastern DRC, particularly its conflict with Rwanda, remained a focal point of the discussions. The leaders underscored the importance of political, diplomatic, and security solutions tailored to the situation, emphasizing the need to avoid duplicating efforts and competition among regional mechanisms.
Recognizing the rich resources of the DRC and the prevalence of extreme poverty among its population due to the conflict, the regional blocs pledged to act as agents of peace, stability, and development. The aim is to reverse the current trajectory and ensure a peaceful and prosperous Congo.