President William Ruto, chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), has convened an urgent meeting of EAC Heads of State on Wednesday to address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This comes after M-23 rebels announced their capture of Goma, the eastern DRC capital, further destabilizing the region.
Speaking during the African Union Institutional Reforms Retreat at State House Nairobi, President Ruto urged DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to engage in dialogue to resolve the crisis. Stressing the need for peaceful resolutions, Ruto highlighted the growing humanitarian risks as thousands of lives remain at stake.
The clashes in Goma erupted over the weekend, with M-23 rebels engaging DRC security forces in violent exchanges. Explosions and gunfire rocked the city, forcing thousands of residents to flee. Videos showed rebels patrolling Goma’s streets, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Meanwhile, tensions escalated further with reports of cross-border gunfire between DRC and Rwanda on Monday.
In response, President Ruto called for an immediate ceasefire and confirmed that Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame had agreed to attend Wednesday’s emergency talks. However, uncertainty remains about whether both leaders will actively participate in negotiations, given accusations from DRC that Rwanda supports M-23 rebels—a claim Rwanda denies.
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President Ruto also engaged French President Emmanuel Macron, who pledged France’s support for regional peace efforts, including Kenya’s interventions in Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan.
The crisis in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, plagued by decades of conflict, is a pressing concern for the EAC and the global community. The upcoming meeting offers a critical chance for regional leaders to unite and seek sustainable peace solutions.
