Former President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Sahlework Zewde has joined a panel of five former African Presidents with a continental responsibility of bringing peace in the troubled region of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Sahlework has been chosen to join the committee along with Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of Kenya, Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa, Catherine Samba Panza, and former President of the Central African Republic.
It is to be recalled that two of the above-mentioned retired presidents, Kenyatta and Obasanjo had successfully managed the Pretoria Peace Agreement between the Ethiopian government and the fighters of Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) ending the two years of deadly war that took place from November 2020 to 2022.
The two veteran negotiators are now joined by Sahlework, who headed the Ethiopian government as the first female President. Prior to assuming the Presidential position, Sahlework was a well-known, seasoned diplomat who served in various positions, including Ambassador, representing her country in various countries.
Both an Anglophone and Francophone, Sahlework is joined by Catherine Samba Panza, the other female, bilingual former president from the Central African Republic making the composition of the mediator’s group very representative. They were both nominated as the right pick to handle the intricate political situation in Eastern DRC.
Former presidents often find themselves in a position of influence, having considerable public attention and resources at their disposal. With this privilege comes the responsibility to guide their post-presidential careers in ways that can positively impact society, foster democracy, and contribute to the welfare of the nation and the world.
The African Union (AU) have benefited from the wisdom of former leaders. The AU has sought the counsel of retired presidents in mediating disputes and supporting peacekeeping missions across Africa. The deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia is one such example, where former leaders have provided strategic guidance to combat terrorism and restore hope in conflict-ridden areas.
Even though the AU has not yet adequately exploited the capacity of Former African leaders, there are some important instances of leaders’ contributions to promoting peace across the continent. For instance, former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings was involved in peace negotiations in several West African countries. His participation in diplomatic missions aimed to resolve tensions in Liberia during its civil war demonstrated the effectiveness of experienced political leaders in promoting peace.
The impact of former African leaders in peace efforts, however, is not without challenges. Political rivalries and the influence of current regimes sometimes hinder their involvement. Moreover, the effectiveness of their efforts often depends on the willingness of conflicting parties to engage in dialogue.
Whatever, the reasons surrounding their role, AU should capitalize on the efforts of the former leaders so far and harness their influence in a bid to meaningfully address the overarching security challenges in the continent. Even though the peace and security situation in Africa has shown some improvements and changing dynamics, the continent still suffers from deadly and sporadic unrest and full-scale conflict in various corners.
For instance, the two years of conflict in Northern Ethiopia was one of the latest such problems which were effectively addressed thanks to the unreserved efforts of the AU and the involvement of the two former leaders, Kenyatta and Obasanjo.
For many years, Somalia has been a hotspot of war and unrest due to clashes between armed groups as well as the involvement of terror groups like Al Shabaab and Al Qaeda. Ensuring peace and stability in Somalia has been a formidable challenge that consumed the efforts of many countries in Africa and beyond, AU as well as other global entities. There is still a need to work towards peace in the country.
The latest development in the security arena of the continent is the alarming outbreak of conflict in the DRC. DRC has remained a focal point of both humanitarian crises and geopolitical interests in recent years. This region is rich in natural resources, including minerals such as coltan, gold, and diamonds, yet it is plagued by ongoing conflict, poverty, and political instability. Understanding the situation in Eastern DRC requires an exploration of its historical context, current challenges, and the impact of international dynamics.
Currently, the humanitarian crisis in Eastern DRC is dire. According to recent reports, over five million people are displaced, with food insecurity affecting millions more. The ongoing violence has forced families to flee their homes, contributing to a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Considering the complexity of the matter commissioning such a high-level and committed group of veteran politicians is mandatory. AU and stakeholders should not give more time to solicit lasting peace to the troubled region which constitutes one of the most disastrous instances of conflict in the continent since the 1960s.
The effectiveness of the peace deal by the current panel of former presidents is likely to lay a foundation for streamlining the future role of retired African politicians and diplomats in fostering AUs’ notion of African solutions to African problems.
BY ZEKARIAS WOLDEMARIAM
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2025
