Can Dar meeting end DRC turmoil?

This summit follows a gathering of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense from EAC and SADC countries, which took place on Friday, February 7, 2025.

The meeting comes amid escalating violence in the DRC, where rebel groups under the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) have taken control of key cities, including Goma in North Kivu and Nyabibwe in South Kivu, and are advancing towards Bukavu.

On February 6, M23 declared a ceasefire against the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC), and on February 7, they announced a new leadership for North Kivu under their patronage.

With the situation deteriorating, President Samia Suluhu Hassan is hosting the summit, bringing together leaders from countries directly involved in the conflict, including Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.

Tensions among leaders

Since the conflict began, there has been increasing tension between the leaders.

President Tshisekedi has repeatedly accused Kagame of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that Kigali has consistently denied.

Furthermore, President Kagame is at odds with President Ramaphosa, with each accusing the other of involvement in the conflict.

South Africa has raised concerns about the deaths of its soldiers deployed in the DRC as part of the SADC peacekeeping mission, while Rwanda has distanced itself from allegations of cooperation with M23.

This meeting of the region’s key leaders is seen as a crucial step toward finding a lasting resolution.

Civil society’s involvement

The Great Lakes Region civil society community has expressed hope that the EAC and SADC will play a significant role in resolving the crisis and reducing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.

The Civil Society Community Chairperson, Joseph Butiku, stated that stakeholders from these communities had met to discuss the crisis and would present their resolutions to the heads of state.

Mr Butiku expressed optimism that the discussions would focus on restoring peace, noting that no leader from any of the EAC or SADC member states wants the war to continue.

"I was contacted by leaders from these organisations, and in a spirit of unity, we agreed to first come together to support the efforts of the heads of state in finding a resolution to this ongoing crisis," Mr Butiku stated.

"The decision to be made by the heads of state will focus on bringing a lasting solution to the conflict," he added.

He stressed that both SADC and EAC have strong mechanisms for managing peace within their member countries, and he is confident that these will be used to resolve the conflict.

A leader of a Kenyan Civil Society Organization, Mr Kennedy Walusala, also participated in the meeting.

He emphasised that, as a member of the EAC and an African country, the DRC's situation should be addressed for the sake of its people.

Mr Walusala mentioned that the people of Goma have suffered immensely, and this is why civil societies from the Great Lakes region have decided to support the search for peace.

Following the meeting of the heads of state, civil society leaders are expected to convene to assess the progress made.

International analyst's perspective

An international affairs analyst, Mr Dennis Konga, told The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi that for a permanent solution, the EAC and SADC leaders must address the root causes of the conflict.

"First, we must ask ourselves: who is financing the military forces of the countries fighting in the DRC?" questioned Konga.

"These countries are largely funded by developing nations, which might not provide enough resources to support the forces. Additionally, under the UN peacekeeping mandate, troops deployed under MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC) are prohibited from using combat weapons. This restriction has made them vulnerable and easily overpowered by M23,” he added.

Mr Konga emphasized that to find a solution, the leaders must address how to control the rebel forces.

"They must come up with ways to end this conflict, even through military means, or this will be just another discussion for the sake of discussion," he noted.

Ministerial meeting

Earlier, a meeting of ministers, chaired by the EAC Secretary General Veronika Nduva and SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi, took place.

Key ministers including Musalia Mudavadi of Kenya and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Prof Amon Murwira were in attendance.

Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, emphasized the importance of regional solidarity and commended the efforts of the EAC and SADC leaders in addressing the crisis.

"I hope this meeting will pave the way for a positive outcome from tomorrow’s presidential summit, leading to lasting peace in the DRC," said Ambassador Kombo.

Ms Nduva highlighted that the security of the DRC is vital not only for the country but also for the prosperity of the entire region.

"We must stand together to ensure this conflict is dealt with in unity and solidarity," she said.

Mr Magosi stressed the urgency of swift action to end the conflict, noting, "This war has caused immense suffering, particularly for women and children. The fighting must stop, and peace talks must begin."

The ministers’ meeting is expected to provide recommendations that will be discussed by the heads of state, with the goal of enhancing peace, security, and regional solidarity for the benefit of both the DRC and the wider region.

Road closures

To facilitate the visit of the heads of state, the Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police announced the temporary closure of several roads leading into the city centre.

The roads to be closed include Nyerere Road (from Julius Nyerere International Airport to the city center), Kivukoni, Luthuli, and Sokoine Roads (from Gerezani lights to Johari Rotana Hotel, Hyatt Regency, and State House).

Additionally, Ohio Road (from Kivukoni to Serena Hotel) and Garden Road (from Uthuli to Southern Sun Hotel) will be closed.

Motorcycles and Bajaj vehicles are also banned from entering the city centre, particularly along the specified routes, for security reasons during the visit.

Road users are advised to use alternative routes, such as Uhuru, Kawawa through Magomeni, and Morogoro Road, among others. The police will work to minimize disruptions and open roads as the convoy passes.