NAIROBI, Kenya— The ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took center stage on Wednesday as East African Community (EAC) Heads of State urgently called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
This comes as M23 rebels, accused of receiving backing from Rwanda, extended their territorial gains after capturing Goma, a key city in eastern DRC.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi was noticeably absent from the emergency virtual summit, reportedly opting to meet with Angolan officials, who have also been involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
With tensions rising and international concern mounting, regional leaders—including Kenya’s William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni—stressed the need for dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
In a joint communiqué, they urged the DRC government to engage with all stakeholders, including M23 rebels and other armed factions, to negotiate a peaceful resolution.
A key takeaway from the meeting was the proposal for a joint EAC-SADC summit, bringing together both regional blocs to strategize on the next steps.
The leaders mandated Ruto, the EAC Chairperson, to coordinate with SADC leadership to convene this meeting in the coming days.
Photo! EAC heads of state call for immediate ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo #KGRUPDATES
“The worsening conflict in eastern DRC requires a unified regional approach. Our priority is to ensure a ceasefire is honored and diplomatic avenues are pursued,” the statement read.
Beyond the battlefield, the summit also addressed growing security concerns in Kinshasa, where diplomatic missions and embassies have reportedly come under attack.
The EAC leaders called on the Congolese government to take immediate action to protect foreign missions, diplomatic staff, and property.
Meanwhile, President Tshisekedi delivered a televised address late Wednesday, accusing the international community of failing to act as the crisis spirals out of control.
He vowed a “vigorous and coordinated response” against what he described as “terrorists and their sponsors.”
The United Nations, United States, and European Union have all condemned the violence, with repeated calls for de-escalation.
However, accusations of Rwandan involvement in the conflict remain a sticking point.
Kigali has strongly denied any links to the rebels, but the tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali continue to cast a shadow over peace efforts.
As M23 fighters push further south, the humanitarian toll is worsening, with thousands displaced and uncertainty growing over what comes next.
The coming days will be crucial as the EAC-SADC summit takes shape and diplomatic pressure intensifies.
