Beyond Borders: Evaluating EAC and SADC Roles in Sustainable Peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo Polycrisis

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exemplifies a “polycrisis,” where overlapping security, humanitarian, economic, and governance challenges perpetuate instability and regional insecurity. This article critically evaluates the roles of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) in peacebuilding amidst the DRC’s protracted crisis. Drawing on regional security complex theory and neofunctionalism, alongside qualitative data from elite interviews and document analysis, the study interrogates the effectiveness and limitations of recent EAC and SADC interventions, including military deployments, political mediation, and joint initiatives. Findings reveal that while regional organizations have demonstrated a willingness to address the DRC’s multidimensional crises, their efforts are constrained by divergent interests, resource deficits, institutional overlaps, and operational fragmentation. The persistent reliance on external actors further underscores the limitations of current regional frameworks. The study argues for a shift toward more integrated, security-conscious, and politically unified regional strategies, emphasizing multidimensional cooperation, trust-building, and adaptive governance. Lessons from the DRC highlight the necessity of synergizing regional and international responses and reimagining African regionalism to address complex, transnational crises. These insights are vital for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners aiming to enhance the effectiveness of regional peacebuilding in Africa.