NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has announced that leaders from the East African Community (EAC) will convene an emergency meeting on Tuesday over deadly clashes in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Already, Kinshasa has withdrawn its diplomats from Kigali as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advanced on the key city of Goma.
“Consequently, and having consulted with the Heads of State of the region on this dire situation, we will be convening an extraordinary EAC Summit within the next 48 hours to deliberate on this crisis and chart a way forward,” said President Ruto in a dispatch from the State House.
What’s the mandate of the EAC Heads of State Summit
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.
Why the escalating conflict in the Eastern DRC is of concern
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.
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.
How peace in the Eastern DRC can easily be achieved
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
“I thank both President Tsishekedi and President Kagame for their confirmed participation in this summit,” he said.
President Ruto reiterated that the African Union (AU) must not remain passive in the face of this escalating crisis.
“The EAC stands ready to forge a stronger collaboration with the AU and SADC, as well as the international community, in encouraging the warring parties to prioritise engagement,” the dispatch further reads.
