President HH Joins Regional Leaders in Virtual Summit on DRC Peace

President Hakainde Hichilema has participated in a virtual Extraordinary Summit of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government.

The summit was focused on finding common ground to resolve the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

SADC Chairperson, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, urged member states to remain united and act decisively to achieve lasting peace in the region.

“I urge us to remain united. Speak with one voice and act with boldness to ensure that peace prevails and development is realised in eastern DRC,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, EAC Chairperson and President of Kenya, William Ruto, highlighted the urgent need to resume commercial operations to ensure peace and development in eastern DRC.

“Today’s joint summit should provide the impetus and necessary steps for the joint AUC- SADC mediation process on eastern DRC to commence operations without delay with a view in restoring peace and stability in our region,” President Ruto stated.

At the summit, President Hichilema held a closed-door session to discuss further strategic aims and approaches to the crisis.

The Extraordinary Summit followed a meeting held on August 1, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, between EAC-SADC Co-Chairpersons and the Panel of Facilitators for the DRC Peace Process, as directed by the 2nd Joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.