Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi participated in a crucial summit held in Tanzania, where regional leaders underscored the urgent need for an “immediate ceasefire” in the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The meeting convened leaders from the eight member states of the East African Community (EAC) and the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Dar es Salaam.
The call for a ceasefire comes amid escalated violence and territorial gains made by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group, which has swiftly taken control of large areas in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. The group’s recent capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, has heightened tensions and deepened the humanitarian crisis, leading to thousands of deaths and significant displacement of the local population. Reports indicate that the M23 is now advancing toward neighboring South Kivu, further complicating the situation in a region long plagued by conflict.
During the summit, Kenyan President William Ruto, the current chair of the EAC, urged all involved parties to commit to a ceasefire. He specifically called on the M23 to halt its advances, while also imploring the DRC’s armed forces to refrain from retaliatory actions. Notably, other leaders from Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were present at the summit, emphasizing a unified regional approach to the ongoing crisis.
Local fears have escalated since the M23’s resurgence in 2021, with previous peace efforts and ceasefires falling short. Rwanda has consistently denied allegations of military support for the M23; however, a United Nations report last year indicated that around 4,000 Rwandan troops were present in the DRC, profiting from extensive mineral smuggling operations. The conflict has also been exacerbated by mutual accusations, as Rwanda claims the DRC is providing refuge for the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group comprised mainly of Hutu militants involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Currently, the M23’s offensive poses a significant threat to the strategic town of Kavumu, which is critical for supply routes to Congolese forces. As the M23 nears Kavumu, which lies just before the provincial capital of Bukavu, alarm has gripped the community. Residents report barricading their shops, emptying storerooms out of fear of looting, while educational institutions suspended classes. With the border to Rwanda seeing a chaotic influx of people attempting to flee, the situation is becoming increasingly dire, according to local accounts.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has sounded the alarm over the escalating humanitarian crisis, warning that if the conflict remains unaddressed, the consequences could be catastrophic, not only for those in eastern DRC but also for surrounding regions. He noted that since the M23 captured Goma on January 26, close to 3,000 people have been confirmed dead, with nearly 2,880 others injured. Turk also revealed that his team is investigating alarming reports of sexual violence, including gang rape and sexual slavery associated with the ongoing conflict.
As the M23 not only consolidates its control in Goma by appointing local authorities but also declares ambitions to reach the national capital of Kinshasa—over 1,000 miles away—the effectiveness of the DRC army is in question. The military’s struggles, marred by issues of inadequate training and corruption, have led to a series of retreats, raising concerns about the risk of widespread regional conflict, especially as nations like South Africa, Burundi, and Malawi have shown military support for the DRC. The situation remains critical and fluid, with the potential for more widespread instability looming.
