Engage with M23 directly, EAC leader tell Tshisekedi
EAC presidents William Ruto (Kenya), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), Hassan Sheikh Muhammud (Somalia), Evariste Ndayishimye (Burundi), Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan) and Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) attend the 24th extra-ordinary summit on the fighting in DR Congo on January 29, 2025.
East African Community (EAC) heads of state have urged Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi to “directly engage” with all stakeholders, including M23 rebels, to de-escalate the bloody conflict in the eastern part of the country.
Presidents of the member states convened virtually for the 24th extraordinary summit of the EAC Heads of State to discuss the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, which has resulted in significant loss of life, a humanitarian crisis, and immense suffering, particularly among women and children.
“The summit called for peaceful settlement of the conflict, and strongly urged the government of the DRC to directly engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances,” reads the meeting’s joint communiqué.
The heads of state from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Burundi, South Sudan, and Rwanda attended the summit.
However, Mr Tshisekedi, who had earlier in the day indicated that he would not participate in regionally brokered talks aimed at ending the rebel assault on the eastern city of Goma, was notably absent.
He cited meeting scheduling clashes. As the meeting got
underway, the DRC leader was on his way to Luanda in Angola where he spoke with President Joao Lourenço, the man who tried recently to mediate the conflict in eastern DRC.
Eastern DRC has risen to the hot plate lately after M23 rebels upped their ante in the fight against Congolese forces, FARDC.
Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels who have seized almost the entire city of Goma following bloody clashes.
The summit called on “all parties to the conflict in eastern DRC to cease hostilities, observe an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population.”
The summit also expressed concern about the escalating crisis, which has led to attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies, and foreign staff based in Kinshasa.
The Kenyan, Ugandan, Rwandan, South African, and US embassies in the Congolese capital came under attack by rioters protesting at alleged foreign interference in DRC internal matters and the seizure of Goma City by M23 rebels.
Two Kenyan embassy staff members were forced to flee for safety as a surging crowd breached the consulate compound.
No injuries were reported, as most staff were offsite. The clashes in Goma have resulted in at least 25 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and a massive wave of refugees fleeing the violence.
“The summit urged the government of DRC to protect diplomatic missions, lives, and property,” the communiqué read.
Since the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is also engaged in eastern DRC, the heads of state agreed to convene a joint EAC-SADC summit to discuss the way forward.
Dr Ruto, as the EAC chairperson, was mandated to “consult with the chairperson of SADC on the urgent convening of the same in the next few days.”
Earlier on Wednesday, during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Dr Ruto underscored the devastating impact of conflicts across Africa.
“It is urgent that we work together to bring an end to these clashes, silence the guns and bring back peace and stability — especially in Sudan, Somalia and the Eastern DRC — for the continent’s sustainable development,” President Ruto posted on X.
