In a decisive move to quell the escalating conflict in eastern the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), African leaders called for an \"immediate ceasefire\" during a historic summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The summit, jointly convened by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), aimed to address the ongoing crisis driven by the March 23 Movement (M23).
The final communique emphasized the urgent need to restore supply lines and reopen critical traffic routes, particularly the road linking Goma and Bukavu, which had been severed by M23 advancements. Additionally, the Goma International Airport, heavily damaged in the hostilities, is slated for restoration to facilitate humanitarian efforts.
Recognizing the complexity of the situation, the summit directed the EAC-SADC Chiefs of Defense Forces to collaborate on enforcing a \"immediate and unconditional ceasefire\". The leaders also advocated for political and diplomatic engagements as the most sustainable solution, expressing support for resuming direct negotiations with all parties involved, including the M23, within existing regional mediation frameworks.
Despite the DRC's current stance against direct negotiations with M23, there are hints of reviving the Nairobi Peace Process, a peace initiative spearheaded by the EAC and facilitated by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. Furthermore, regional countries proposed merging the Nairobi Process with the Luanda Process, an African Union-led peace mechanism overseen by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, to bolster the peace efforts.
The summit, co-chaired by EAC Chairperson and Kenyan President William Ruto and SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, underscored the dire consequences of continued conflict. Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye warned of the risk of regional war if the situation remains unresolved.
The conflict between the M23 and the Congolese government is rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and ongoing ethnic tensions between the Tutsi and Hutu populations. Allegations have surfaced accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23, while the DRC government counters by alleging that its military has allied with the Rwandan rebel group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.
With at least 2,900 casualties reported during the M23's capture of Goma and ongoing clashes in South Kivu causing mass displacement, the regional leadership remains steadfast in their pursuit of peace and stability in the region.
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African leaders call for immediate ceasefire in eastern DR Congo
cgtn.com
