President William Ruto convened a crucial virtual meeting early Tuesday, April 2, 2025, bringing together former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other prominent African leaders to address the escalating conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Here are four key details from the high-level session:

1. Joint Facilitation Effort

The meeting centered on the merged Luanda-Nairobi peace process, a joint initiative by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

President Ruto confirmed his role in chairing the virtual session, which included former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, alongside Uhuru Kenyatta.

These leaders were appointed as facilitators to bring peace to the troubled region.

2. Follow-Up to Regional Summit

This meeting was a direct follow-up to the second joint EAC-SADC summit held on Monday, March 25, 2025.

During that summit, an agreement was reached to expand the panel of mediators after Angola withdrew from its mediation role to focus on its new responsibilities as Chair of the African Union.

The urgency of the situation necessitated a brief meeting with the facilitators within seven days, a decision jointly agreed upon by SADC, EAC, and the African Union.

3. Focus on Regional Stability

President Ruto emphasized the critical nature of the conflict, highlighting its potential to destabilize not only the DRC but also the entire region.

He acknowledged the devastating humanitarian crisis, which includes loss of life and mass displacement.

Ruto also commended the efforts of Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC for their face-to-face meeting in Doha, Qatar, which he saw as a positive step towards resolving the conflict.

4. Wide Regional Participation

The March 25 summit, which laid the groundwork for this meeting, saw participation from numerous heads of state, including Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), and Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), among others.

This broad participation underscores the regional commitment to finding a lasting solution to the DRC conflict.

Somalia’s Prime Minister and ministers from Angola and South Sudan also attended.

The virtual meeting, held late into the night, signifies the urgency with which regional leaders are addressing the DRC crisis.

The involvement of former President Kenyatta, alongside other influential figures, highlights the importance of sustained diplomatic efforts to bring peace to the region.