The SADC has shown resistance to Kenya’s leading role in DRC peace mediation by advocating for a broader and more inclusive group of facilitators. This came after President Ruto circulated a unilateral facilitator list. The discourse highlights the need for regional collaboration, balance, and the complexities of geopolitical dynamics involved in the peace process.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has signaled its resistance to Kenya’s dominant role in the peace process of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). SADC emphasized the necessity for a more inclusive group of peace facilitators, effectively opposing the list previously circulated by Kenyan President William Ruto.
During the recent EAC-SADC meeting in Harare, while no individuals were directly criticized, the call for “an expanded panel of facilitators” suggested discord over Kenya’s assertive approach in the merger of the Nairobi-Luanda peace processes. This discomfort points towards a desire for a more collaborative decision-making environment.
In February, President Ruto announced a list of facilitators, including former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, without SADC’s formal endorsement. The meeting underscored a desire for regional balance and gender representation in mediation roles, which can lead to alterations in the existing facilitator list.
SADC’s stance underscores the geopolitical climate, as Kenya pursues a larger influence in continental diplomacy while SADC upholds a principle of consultation. The Harare assembly intended to unify mediation efforts but rather exposed underlying regional rivalries that hinder achieving effective African-led resolutions.
In conclusion, the SADC’s push for a broader facilitation panel reveals the complexities within regional diplomacy regarding the DRC’s peace efforts. The demand for inclusivity and balance in mediation not only hints at Kenya’s perceived dominance but also calls for collective efforts that recognize diverse regional perspectives. Thus, it may be essential for Kenya to reassess its strategies to align more closely with its regional partners.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
