The SADC has challenged Kenya’s lead role in DRC peace mediation, calling for a more inclusive facilitator panel. Kenya’s preliminary list of facilitators sparked unease as it lacked formal approval from SADC. The emphasis is now on regional balance and gender inclusion, indicating a need for revised strategies by Nairobi to gain wider consensus.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is advocating for a more inclusive peace facilitation panel in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), indicating resistance to Kenya’s proposed leadership in the mediation process. This follows President William Ruto’s submission of a facilitator list, which included prominent figures such as former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo, leading to unease within SADC due to its lack of formal endorsement.
During a ministerial meeting in Harare, SADC emphasized the need for an “expanded panel of facilitators,” suggesting that the current list does not reflect regional consensus. SADC is particularly pushing for gender inclusion and balance in representation, proposing former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde as a candidate to replace Hailemariam Desalegn, who is perceived to have ties favoring Kigali.
This situation underscores the complexities of regional diplomacy, wherein Kenya seeks to solidify its influence while SADC focuses on ensuring a fair process that involves collective input. The Harare session intended to unify mediation strategies but instead highlighted existing regional rivalries, complicating efforts for an African-led resolution to the DRC’s ongoing conflicts.
The SADC’s call for a broader facilitator panel in the DRC mediation process questions Kenya’s assertive approach to regional diplomacy. This indicates a need for Kenya to reassess its strategies to align with SADC’s emphasis on balance and inclusive representation, highlighting ongoing geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
