Tuesday March 25, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre participated in a virtual joint meeting of heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to discuss the deteriorating security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The meeting was co-chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto, Chairperson of the EAC, and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chairperson of SADC.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Hamza emphasized the regional responsibility to address the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, stressing the urgent need for coordinated action. He stated that Somalia supports a comprehensive approach to achieving sustainable peace, involving all conflicting parties, the United Nations, and the African Union in securing a lasting security solution.
During the meeting, the leaders announced the formation of a high-level committee composed of five former presidents to spearhead efforts to resolve the conflict.
The committee members are:
1. Olusegun Obasanjo – Former President of Nigeria
2. Uhuru Kenyatta – Former President of Kenya
3. Kgalema Motlanthe – Former President of South Africa
4. Catherine Samba-Panza – Former President of the Central African Republic
5. Sahle-Work Zewde – Former President of Ethiopia
The initiative comes amid escalating violence in eastern DRC, where regional efforts continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.