President Ruto on Tuesday April 1, 2025 in the evening chaired a virtual inaugural meeting of the merged Luanda peace process with the aim to address the ongoing conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The meeting brought together Heads of State from the members of Eastern Africa Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional blocks.

Former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria),  Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia), and Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic) were in attendance.

Speaking during a virtual summit, Ruto emphasized the need to bring Rwanda into the discussions, despite its past reluctance due to tensions with the DRC.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is among the facilitators appointed by the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State to mediate the DRC conflict.

Other facilitators include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic.

Ruto stated that he would work with Uhuru’s team and other regional leaders to ensure Rwanda’s involvement.

“I know we will be having a conversation as to how this is going to move forward, especially in the context that the facilitator of the Rwanda process will not be part of this, and that is part of the conversation we need to have,” Ruto said.

Ruto further urged the facilitators to continue engaging the parties involved in the conflict to help de-escalate the situation caused by the M23 rebels.

The President also highlighted how the humanitarian response to those affected by the conflict had been hampered by the rebels, who have captured several towns, including Bukavu.

“More than 3,000 lives have been lost, with thousands more maimed. These figures are not just statistics; they are human tragedies that demand urgent redress,” he added.