NAIROBI, Kenya – East African leaders have called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and urged the Kinshasa government to engage directly with all stakeholders, including the M23 rebel group, to address the escalating crisis in Goma.
The resolution was made during a special virtual summit of the East African Community (EAC) hosted by Kenya. While Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the meeting, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was notably absent, opting instead to travel to Angola for separate talks with President João Lourenço.
In a joint communique, the EAC leaders expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Goma, which has resulted in significant loss of life and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
“The summit called on all parties to the conflict in eastern DRC to cease hostilities and observe an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population,” the statement read.
The summit also condemned attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa and urged the Congolese government to ensure the safety of embassies, diplomatic staff, and foreign assets.
Acknowledging the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in resolving the crisis, the EAC leaders agreed to hold a joint summit with SADC representatives in the coming days.
Meanwhile, nearly 300 European mercenaries accused of fighting in Congo are set to be deported to their home countries through Rwanda.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed that a group of 280 individuals, mostly from Romania, had secured safe passage after their governments requested Rwanda’s assistance in evacuating them through Kigali.
Rwandan President Kagame has accused South African officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, of distorting discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.
“What has been said about these conversations in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate attacks, and even lies,” Kagame stated.
He also criticized the presence of the SADC military mission in Congo, claiming that it was not a peacekeeping force but a “belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operations to help the DRC government fight against its own people.”
Kagame warned that if South Africa preferred confrontation, Rwanda would respond accordingly. His comments came after South African Defense Minister Angie Motshekga revealed that Ramaphosa had told Kagame: “If you’re going to fire, take it as a declaration of war, and we’d have to defend our people.”
Speaking at a press briefing in Pretoria, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola warned that the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo could escalate into a fully-fledged regional war if not addressed immediately.
Lamola stressed the need for tripartite engagement involving the African Union, SADC, and EAC to reach a ceasefire and establish a long-term solution.
The M23 rebels, who are allegedly backed by Rwanda, claimed control over Goma on Monday. However, reports from residents suggest that both the rebels and Congolese government forces are still present in the strategic border city.
Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of deploying troops in Goma, a claim that Kagame has repeatedly denied.
The M23 group argues that its armed struggle is driven by grievances over discrimination against the Tutsi community in eastern Congo. They claim that the Congolese government has failed to address their concerns, particularly regarding their security and integration into the national army.
Conversely, the Congolese government accuses M23 of destabilizing the region with external support, primarily from Rwanda.
The ongoing violence has forced thousands of people to flee their homes, with many crossing into Rwanda. Among those displaced are staff members of international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Bank.
With the situation in Goma remaining uncertain, regional and international leaders are intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and restore stability in eastern Congo.
