African leaders, including Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, who attended the Quadripartite Summit, have decided to institutionalise the platform to continue to harmonise consultations on peace efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

However, funding commitments still remain a challenge.

The Quadripartite summit was convened in Luanda, Angola, by the African Union Commission and regional economic communities, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

SADC and other regional bodies elevated the insecurity and humanitarian concerns in the eastern DRC to the African Union this year.

The Quadripartite Summit therefore endorsed the need for a coordinated approach to all political and diplomatic initiatives and efforts in pursuit of peace and security in eastern DRC, under the auspices of the AU.

A Joint Framework for the Coordination of Peace Initiatives has further been adopted in line with their relevant instruments and decisions, with a clear division of responsibilities and agreed timelines.

Members of the Quadripartite are expected to report to the AU Peace and Security Council on a quarterly basis and to other statutory meetings of the AU.

But a lack of predictable, adequate, and sustainable funding is still a concern for member countries and could hamper any progress.

In this regard, the AU Commission is directed to undertake resource mobilisation, and it has so far seen about N$36 million in grant agreements between the AU and the East African Community.

Angola and Senegal committed N$20 million each, while Gabon committed N$9 million towards peace efforts in eastern DRC.

Meanwhile, the parties further reiterated their call for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all armed M23 rebels and other terrorist groups from the DRC.