Somalia Commits to Promoting Stability in Region at East African and Southern African Summit

Mogadishu (AX) – Gathered in the vibrant city of Dar es Salaam, leaders from across East and Southern Africa came together in a pivotal summit, as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visibly immersed himself last Saturday. The extraordinary meeting was a collective endeavor by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a bold attempt to untangle the turbulent web of conflict that has recently engulfed the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The backdrop of this high-stakes gathering was painted with urgency and a shared desire to quell the rising flames of violence and displacement. With a narrative as complex as the minerals beneath the land’s surface, the DRC’s turmoil demands an equally nuanced response. What lies at the heart of such an intricate issue? Perhaps the answer lies in united leadership, like the one embodied by President Mohamud, who stood as Somalia’s voice in the assembly.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, engaging earnestly in dialogue, underscored the significance of this summit, tying it to a broader mission – Somalia’s active role within the United Nations Security Council prioritizes African-centric resolutions to regional quandaries. After all, who better understands the continent’s intricate dynamics than its own leaders? “The conflict in eastern DRC is a humanitarian disaster that requires immediate and sustained action to achieve lasting peace. Joint diplomacy between the EAC and SADC is critical in reducing tensions. Solutions must come through dialogue and mutual understanding, not warfare,” Mohamud asserted, articulating his unwavering belief that lasting peace is birthed not in the throes of war, but through conversations steeped in empathy and mutual respect.

In affirming Somalia’s endorsement for the initiatives championed by these regional blocs, he painted a picture of collaboration rooted in experience. Somalia, a nation reborn from its own turbulent history, stands ready to lend its wisdom in reconciliation, a testament to its journey from conflict to healing.

The situation in the eastern DRC teeters on a precarious edge, where the resurgence of the M23 armed group looms large. Their formidable advance, swiftly capturing vast swathes of territory and the vital city of Goma in North Kivu, has cast a long shadow over the region. Thousands have perished, their lives collateral in an unfolding humanitarian calamity, while innumerable families find themselves displaced amidst the chaos.

Rumors and accusations swirl around this group’s ascent, with whispers of Rwandan support stirring international speculation, although Kigali remains adamant in its denials. Yet, with each day, the threat intensifies, especially as reports indicate that M23 now sets its sights on Kavumu, a critical locality in South Kivu with a key airport indispensable to the Congolese defense strategy.

This precarious advance injects an element of urgency into diplomatic efforts, fueling calls from summit leaders for a synchronized strategy to not only de-escalate the mounting tensions but to shield the innocent lives hanging in the balance.

In this tense narrative, one can’t help but recall the words of an elder statesman who once said, “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” As leaders deliberated, navigating the fine lines between sovereignty and solidarity, these words rang true. The resolution of this crisis requires not just political maneuvering, but a collective imagining of peace as both the journey and its destination.

As the summit concluded, leaving behind a city still abuzz with the echoes of earnest discussion, one can’t deny the emotional charge of such gatherings. Perhaps, in the nuanced mosaic of diplomacy and dialogue, the seeds of peace will find fertile ground, blossoming into a future devoid of conflict. After all, isn’t hope the essence of any human endeavor? As Africa pulls together to weave its own tapestry of peace, the world watches with bated breath.

Edited By Ali Musa, Axadle Times international–Monitoring