7th February 2025
Make a Donation

EAC summit urges ceasefire in east DRC amid Tshisekedi no show

Author: Chany Ninrew | Published: January 30, 2025

Virtual EAC summit. (Photo: Office of the President - South Sudan).

East African Community Heads of State have jointly expressed concern over escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and urged immediate ceasefire, during a virtual summit boycotted by President Felix Tshisekedi.

This came after M23 rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda captured Goma city of North Kivu Province in fierce fighting with Congolese troops on 27th January, and pushed their advance.

In a national address on Wednesday night, DRC President Tshisekedi said although he is in favor of diplomacy to resolve the conflict, he is planning a counter-offensive to reclaim the areas under the rebel control.

East African leaders, in a virtual summit chaired by Kenyan president William Ruto and attended by the leaders of South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia and Burundi, expressed concern about the “expanding crisis” manifesting in attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies and staff based in Kinshasa.”

A communique after the meeting called on all parties to cease hostilities and observe immediate and unconditional ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access to affected populations.

It also called for peaceful settlement of the conflicts and “strongly urged Kinshasa to engage with stakeholders including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances.”

The statement further appealed for a joint urgent summit between the leaders of East African Community (EAC) and South African Development Community (SADC) in few days to deliberate on peaceful resolution to the crisis.

The DR Congo government has appointed Major-General Somo Kakule Evariste as the new military governor of the conflict-hit North Kivu province following the killing of former governor, Major General Peter Cirimwami, during battles against M23 rebels on January 24.

On January 26, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Rwandan troops to exit eastern DRC and cease aiding M23 rebels nearing Goma, where the conflict has killed more than a dozen peacekeepers.

At the council meeting, the United States, France and Britain condemned what they said was Rwanda’s backing of the M23 rebel advance. Kigali has long denied supporting M23.

Support Eye Radio, the first independent radio broadcaster of news, information & entertainment in South Sudan.

Make a monthly or a one off contribution.

Breaking News

South Sudan declares Mpox outbreak

Read more...
Share