Kenya hosts emergency summit on DRC predicament
Date
2/1/2025 12:44:36 AM
(MENAFN) The East African Community (EAC) held an emergency summit on Wednesday to address the worsening security situation in Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Kenyan President William Ruto, the current chair of the EAC, called the meeting in response to increased clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group.
Despite the urgent nature of the summit, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi did not attend, citing scheduling conflicts. However, regional leaders, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, participated in the virtual meeting, discussing ways to address the growing conflict in Goma, which has led to mass displacement and heightened regional tensions.
The DRC has struggled with ongoing violence in the east, where various armed groups, including M23, compete for control of valuable mineral resources. The recent escalation saw M23 militants capture more territory, sparking concerns of a wider regional conflict. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim Rwanda denies.
The summit came after intense fighting in Goma killed at least 42 people, including 17 foreign peacekeepers, and left hundreds injured. The EAC leaders aimed to find solutions to the crisis, though Tshisekedi’s absence raised questions about his country's commitment to the talks.
The EAC, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and DRC, was formed in 1967 and re-established in 2000 with a focus on regional economic integration. Discussions at the summit included the need for renewed dialogue, with diplomats stressing that a political solution is crucial for lasting peace in the region. The international community, including Russia, the US, and France, has called for talks between Rwanda and DRC to resolve the conflict.
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