NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has spoken with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to quell the escalating situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Already, Kinshasa has withdrawn its diplomats from Kigali as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advanced on the key city of Goma.
“I have spoken to President @EmmanuelMacron of France on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He has expressed support for the regional efforts to deal with the challenge,” President Ruto posted on his official X account.
What did President Emmanuel Macron commit to
According to the Kenyan leader, President Macron also committed his country’s support for the interventions being carried out and for Kenya’s participation in other peace initiatives in Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan.
President Ruto was in late November 2024 elected to chair the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit, the top decision-making organ of the bloc.
He said the forthcoming meeting is in line with the EAC Summit’s decision of November 2024, which called for constructive engagement to address the ongoing conflict.
The resource-rich eastern provinces of North and South Kivu have been plagued by conflicts for three decades, with the Rwanda-backed M23 emerging as one of the most powerful armed groups in recent years.
It has seized vast swathes of the east of the DRC since 2021, displacing thousands and triggering a humanitarian crisis.
“The escalating conflict and deteriorating situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are of grave concern to the people and governments of East Africa,” President Ruto further said.
Noting the worsening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by ongoing military actions, including the closure of airspace in Goma, President Ruto called for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities.
“I emphasise the obligation of all parties to facilitate humanitarian access to affected populations and urge both sides to pursue peaceful means to resolve this tragic conflict,” he explained.
Why the DRC conflict should be urgently resolved
President Ruto reiterated that these alarming developments, coupled with rising diplomatic tensions in the region, underscore the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to a conflict that continues to inflict untold suffering on the people, particularly women and children.
“As the current chair of the East African Community, Kenya is aware of the region’s critical responsibility in de-escalating violence and facilitating dialogue between the parties involved,” President Ruto said.
President Ruto, who took over from his DRC counterpart, said that peace in the Eastern DRC can only be achieved through engagement, constructive dialogue, and a renewed commitment to peace.
“I call on the parties to the Luanda process on Eastern DRC and appeal to my brothers, President Félix Tshisekedi and President Kagame, to heed the call for peace from the people of our region and the international community,” added the Kenyan leader.
He at the same time called upon the two heads of state to dedicate all efforts towards achieving peace in Eastern DRC and restoring good neighbourliness, an essential principle underpinning regional peace and collective responsibility.
