Abstract
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has long been plagued by conflict in its eastern regions, with numerous armed groups exacerbating violence and instability. The merging of the Nairobi/Luanda peace processes following the EAC-SADC joint summit signals a renewed emphasis on human security for peacebuilding efforts in the DRC. This paper examines the importance of integrating the human security approach into peace initiatives, highlighting key principles including inclusivity, protection of vulnerable populations, governance reforms, and confidence-building measures. By prioritizing human security, regional leaders can pave the way for sustainable peace in the DRC, ultimately ensuring the safety and well-being of its people.
Introduction
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has long been a hotbed of conflict, with its eastern regions particularly affected by violence and instability (Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, 2019. pp. 1-3). The complex interplay of internal grievances and external influences has led to an entrenched cycle of insecurity (Caparini, 2022. pp. 12-13; Holtslag, 2024) that undermines human security — a concept that encompasses the safety and well-being of individuals and communities (United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security, 2016). As a complex framework and a necessary tool for common understanding, the human security approach, highlights the right of all individuals to live in freedom and dignity, free from poverty and fear. It calls for people-centred, context-specific approaches that protect and empower all people and communities. Human security recognizes the interconnectedness of peace, development, and human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights (Civil-Military Cooperation Centre, 2019, 1-3). In light of recent developments, particularly the Joint Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on February 8, 2025, there is a renewed focus on prioritizing human security in peace processes, notably through the merged Nairobi/Luanda Process (EAP-SADC, 2025).
The Security Situation in Eastern DRC
The eastern DRC has faced persistent challenges stemming from a multitude of armed groups, both local and foreign, that have exploited governance deficits and socio-economic disparities (Centre for Preventive Action, 2025). The presence of more than 120 militias and armed groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the M23 rebels, complicates the security landscape in the eastern region of Congo (Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, 2025). Consequently, the region has witnessed widespread violence, displacements, and humanitarian crises, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like women and children (United Nations Security Council, 2024, 21). The United Nations Security Council Group of Experts (2024, 21-22) reports that the heightened humanitarian crisis resulting from the use of heavy artillery and mortar attacks on a near densely populated area, including the outskirts of Goma, has affected children – some recruited in armed groups.
The humanitarian crisis is further exacerbated by the recent capture of Goma by the M23. It is reported that more than 700,000 citizens have been displaced due to the conflict in Eastern Congo (Behalal, 2025). Despite many efforts and calls for a ceasefire, conditions for peace have not been achieved (Hajayandi, 2025). As a result, the recent Joint Summit of the heads of state and government, hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania, underscored the urgency of addressing the deteriorating security situation, which has led to loss of life and significant human suffering (Karr, 2025). The EAC and SADC leaders expressed their condolences for the recent attacks and emphasized the need for immediate action to restore peace and security (EAP-SADC Joint Summit, 2025). This includes a call for a cessation of hostilities and a commitment to a peaceful resolution of conflicts through the Nairobi/Luanda Process.
The Nairobi Process: A Framework for Dialogue
The Nairobi Process, initiated in April 2022, aims to facilitate dialogue between the armed groups in the DRC and the government. It emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring all relevant stakeholders are part of the peace process (Eastern Africa Community, 2022). The principles guiding the Nairobi Process focus on dialogue, ownership by the DRC government, regional leadership from the EAC, and international support.
The process operates on two tracks: political dialogue and military enforcement – which, to a larger extent, led to the establishment of the East African Community Regional Force (Azizah & Dafa, 2025, 75-95). This dual approach recognizes the need for both negotiation and, when necessary, military action to disarm armed groups. However, the emphasis remains on dialogue as the primary means of resolving grievances and fostering trust among communities and conflicting parties.
The Role of the Luanda Process
The Luanda Process serves as a complementary initiative aimed at addressing tensions specifically between Rwanda and the DRC (Mataire, 2025) Established as part of a broader roadmap for peace (International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, 2022), it seeks to neutralize threats posed by groups like the FDLR while addressing the underlying causes of conflict between the two nations (Hoinathy, 2023). The recent agreement reached in the Rubavu talks highlights the importance of collaboration between Rwandan and Congolese forces in neutralizing these threats while emphasizing the need for simultaneous withdrawal of foreign forces (Asanzi & Hoinathy, 2024).
The challenge, however, lies in the complex dynamics of local armed groups and their relationships with both the DRC government and Rwanda (Maddocks, 2025 & Beloff, 2025, 49-58). The M23, perceived by the DRC as a Rwandan proxy, complicates negotiations, as the Congolese government demands a coordinated approach to disengagement. The Nairobi/Luanda Process can be presented as in the Matrix below.
Table 1.
Nairobi/Luanda Peace Process Matrix
| Process | Uniqueness | Failure | Opportunities |
| Nairobi Process | Focuses on armed groups, deployment of regional force, immediate ceasefire. | Lack of military pressure on armed groups, challenges of controversial composition of East African force. | Opportunity for immediate cessation of hostilities, repatriation of foreign militaries, disarmament and demobilization program. |
| Luanda Process | Addresses DRC-Rwanda political dimensions, demands end to hostilities, withdrawal of armed movements. | Lack of follow through on resolutions, continued fighting despite agreements. | Opportunity for normalization of diplomatic relations, deployment of East African regional force, end of support to rebels. |
| Overall Challenges | Historical, local, national and regional grievances, lack of coordination and alignment of responses. | Ineffectiveness of military pressure, skepticism and lack of legitimacy towards East African force. | Opportunity for reevaluation of DRC peacebuilding processes, pressure on DRC and Rwanda to end support for armed groups. |
Source: Adopted from the NAIROBI & LUANDA Peace Processes
Prioritizing and Integrating the Human Security Approach in Peace Initiatives
The EAC-SADC joint summit on the conflict in eastern DRC and the merging of the Nairobi/Luanda peace processes came with promising initiatives. This integrated approach is crucial in addressing the complex dynamics of the conflict [see table 1]. In view of this, it is therefore important to look at the deep and extended challenges that arise from the conflict in eastern DRC. Thus, the integration of the human security dimension plays a crucial role in this integrated peace process. The human security approach, on the one hand, provides a framework for identifying and addressing the root causes of insecurities (United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security, 2016, pp. 5-10). On the other hand, it adopts a people-centered, comprehensive, context-specific, prevention-oriented, protection and empowerment (United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security, 2016), thus helping to address a wide range of insecurities faced by communities in eastern DRC.
The Joint Summit directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to provide technical direction on issues such as immediate and unconditional ceasefire, provision of humanitarian assistance, and the development of a securitization plan for Goma and surrounding areas (EAC-SADC Joint Summit, 2025). The summit also called for the resumption of direct negotiations and dialogue with all state and non-state parties, including the M23, under the framework of the Luanda/Nairobi process (EAC-SADC Joint Summit, 2025). The inclusion of the human security approach in this integrated process will further enhance actions taken by the mediation and negotiation stakeholders to achieve lasting peace and security in eastern DRC. The convergence of the Nairobi and Luanda processes into a unified Nairobi/Luanda Process presents an opportunity to prioritize human security in the peacebuilding efforts in the DRC. Key Principles that will enrich this approach and their corresponding values include, but are not limited to the following:
- Inclusivity and Stakeholder Participation
Engaging all stakeholders, including civil society and local communities, is crucial. Their involvement ensures that peace initiatives address the root causes of conflict and human suffering. In line with that, does (2013, pp. 2) suggests that “inclusivity can best be achieved by engagements in multiple, overlapping processes at various levels of multiple actors at the same time”. Additionally, Hirbling and Landau (2021, pp. 117) argue that broadening participation in peace processes will make resulting peace agreements more legitimate by ensuring that the process is representative of a broader set of interests. Consideration of this value in the Eastern DRC conflict not only signifies the importance of making peace but also a process of narrowing down the space of peace engagement to the grassroots while paying attention to details of interests as well as the suffering of the communities that are directly and indirectly affected.
- Protection of Vulnerable Populations
The Joint Summit’s emphasis on the humanitarian crisis (EAP-SADC Joint Summit, 2025) underpins the need to prioritize the protection of women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Peace processes must incorporate measures that address gender-based violence and support the reintegration of displaced persons. These efforts require strong regional coordination to implement effective humanitarian response strategies that prioritize safety, dignity, and resilience. Similarly, Kewir, Annan, Crawford, and Nseidzedze (2024) emphasize the importance of civilian protection in situations of violent conflict. Furthermore, they contend that the protection of rights, access to social services and resources, and promoting a safer, stable, and just environment are paramount. Although this has been part of the resolution 1925 and the operation of the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) (United Nations Security Council, 2010, pp.4), there is a need for more coordinated efforts with other region bodies to ensure that human security is prioritized.
- Restoration of Governance and Institutional Capacity
A peace process that prioritizes human security must include governance reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, transparency, and rule of law. Addressing governance deficits through inclusive political dialogue is essential for building trust between communities and the state. Emphasis on governance reforms can support institutional strengthening, particularly in areas such as law enforcement, judicial accountability, security sector strategies and innovation, and socio-economic development reform (Kartas, 2007, pp. 4-15). Furthermore, enhancing local governance structures can empower communities to engage in peace processes actively.
- Confidence-building and Regional Cooperation
Confidence-building measures, such as community dialogue forums and joint security initiatives, can foster trust among conflicting parties and reduce tensions. Building trust among conflicting parties is essential for long-term stability. The Summit’s backing of confidence-building measures fosters dialogue and cooperation among governments, armed groups, and local communities. Establishing community dialogue forums creates platforms for reconciliation, reducing mistrust and promoting local ownership of peace processes. Additionally, joint security initiatives under the Nairobi/Luanda framework can help mitigate cross-border tensions. However, there is a need to address the presence of foreign-supported militias, rebels and the non-linear undertakings by the government that exhibit chaotic behaviours in war decisions (Man-Byemba, 2023, pp. 91-95). Strengthening intelligence-sharing and coordinated security operations will contribute to reducing violence and enhancing peace enforcement mechanisms.
Conclusion
The recent Joint Summit of the EAC and SADC marks a critical juncture in the peace processes within the DRC. By prioritizing human security through the Nairobi/Luanda Process, regional leaders can shift the focus toward a human security-centered approach that prioritizes inclusivity, protection, governance reforms, socio-economic development, and confidence-building measures, hence paving the way for sustainable peace in the DRC, ultimately ensuring the safety and well-being of its people. As regional and international stakeholders continue to engage in these processes, the emphasis on human security must remain at the forefront to foster lasting stability and development in the eastern DRC and beyond.
About the Authors
Innocent Byegarazo is a Policy Advisor at AEFJN, advocating for human rights, institutional strengthening, and sustainability to promote Africa’s unity and development.
Rodgers Mwansa is a Peace and Human Security Policy Advisor with extensive experience in East and Southern Africa, specializing in social justice, refugee protection, and environmental sustainability.
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