The summit highlights the urgent need for a diplomatic solution amidst rising casualties and displacement due to ongoing conflict.
**Urgent Call for Ceasefire in DR Congo as Regional Leaders Convene**
**Urgent Call for Ceasefire in DR Congo as Regional Leaders Convene**
Leaders demand immediate peace talks to address escalating violence in Eastern Congo.
The leaders from East and Southern Africa have convened in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, responding to the dire situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) have urged all parties involved in the conflict to engage in peace talks within five days, including discussions with the M23 rebels, who are supported by Rwanda.
The M23 rebels, currently clashing with government troops, have captured significant territories, including the strategic city of Goma. Their impending advance towards Bukavu has raised concerns about a broader conflict that could destabilize the region further. Recent UN statistics indicate that approximately 2,900 individuals have died since the beginning of this year due to the fighting, with around 700,000 others forced to flee their homes.
At the summit, military leaders were tasked with developing a security plan for the Goma area and its surroundings. The joint communique from the gathering emphasized the importance of political dialogue and called for the reopening of Goma airport and other critical routes to enable humanitarian operations. Furthermore, it insisted on the removal of unauthorized foreign forces from DRC territory.
The M23 group claims to be advocating for the rights of ethnic Tutsis, while the DRC government alleges that the rebels are primarily after the region's rich mineral resources. Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the summit but has consistently denied claims of his government's involvement in supporting these insurgents, despite UN reports suggesting otherwise.
In a Facebook post following the summit, Kagame accused the DRC of creating security issues for Rwanda. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi participated via video link, while Prime Minister Judith Suminwa was present in person. No immediate reaction was provided by the Congolese delegation regarding the communique.
Kenyan President William Ruto, acting as the current chair of the EAC, stressed that the resolution to the conflict cannot rely solely on military intervention. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasized the "collective responsibility" of regional leaders to find a resolution, warning that history would judge them harshly if they did not act decisively. The ongoing turmoil, rooted in conflicts from the 1990s, has escalated alarmingly in recent weeks, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable peace negotiations.
The M23 rebels, currently clashing with government troops, have captured significant territories, including the strategic city of Goma. Their impending advance towards Bukavu has raised concerns about a broader conflict that could destabilize the region further. Recent UN statistics indicate that approximately 2,900 individuals have died since the beginning of this year due to the fighting, with around 700,000 others forced to flee their homes.
At the summit, military leaders were tasked with developing a security plan for the Goma area and its surroundings. The joint communique from the gathering emphasized the importance of political dialogue and called for the reopening of Goma airport and other critical routes to enable humanitarian operations. Furthermore, it insisted on the removal of unauthorized foreign forces from DRC territory.
The M23 group claims to be advocating for the rights of ethnic Tutsis, while the DRC government alleges that the rebels are primarily after the region's rich mineral resources. Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the summit but has consistently denied claims of his government's involvement in supporting these insurgents, despite UN reports suggesting otherwise.
In a Facebook post following the summit, Kagame accused the DRC of creating security issues for Rwanda. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi participated via video link, while Prime Minister Judith Suminwa was present in person. No immediate reaction was provided by the Congolese delegation regarding the communique.
Kenyan President William Ruto, acting as the current chair of the EAC, stressed that the resolution to the conflict cannot rely solely on military intervention. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasized the "collective responsibility" of regional leaders to find a resolution, warning that history would judge them harshly if they did not act decisively. The ongoing turmoil, rooted in conflicts from the 1990s, has escalated alarmingly in recent weeks, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable peace negotiations.
