William Ruto leads an unusual meeting of EAC chiefs, DRC President Asia

• President William Ruto led the EAC's unusual meeting on the deterioration of security in eastern DRC
• DRC President Félix Tshisekedi was not present at the meeting, despite confirming the pre -attendance
• The meeting called for immediate ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid while calling for diplomatic cooperation to resolve the conflict

Leaders of the East African Community (EAC) convened an unusual meeting on Monday, January 29, 2025, to discuss the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The meeting was chaired by the President of Kenya William Rutowho is currently in Egypt, bringing together heads of states from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and South Sudan.

However, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi did not attend.

Why did the DRC President Tshisekedi miss the EAC meeting?

The absence of Tshisekedi was confirmed by his spokesman Tina Salama, who told the Kinshasa media that the president had a conflict schedule.

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A few hours later, Angola confirmed that Tshisekedi had traveled by plane to Luanda to negotiate with his colleague Joao Lourenco.

The same meeting of the chiefs of EAC It was aimed at tackling the deterioration of the security situation in the eastern DRC, where clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels have intensified leading to humanitarian disaster.

“The conference discussed the development and deterioration of the security situation in the eastern DRC, which led to the loss of life, humanitarian crisis, and suffering of people, especially women and children,” The statement of the conference was read.

Ruto had invited Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the meeting amid intense tensions, with Rwanda accused of supporting the M23 rebels.

When Kagame attended, Tshisekedi's absence raised concerns about his intention to participate in regional peace efforts.

EAC leaders tell the DRC to hold talks with M23 rebels

The meeting expressed his concern over attacks on diplomatic delegation in Kinshasa, where protesters recently targeted at least ten embassies for frustration over the response of the international community to the crisis.

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“Thus, the meeting urged the DRC government to protect diplomatic, life and property messages,” The statement read.

As the humanitarian worsened, with hospitals being overwhelmed by essential services such as electricity and water crashed in Goma, the EAC summit called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid.

“The meeting called on all parties in the Eastern DRC dispute to stop the violence and to focus on the ceasefire immediately and unconditionally and facilitate humanitarian access to affected people,” The statement read more.

“The meeting called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict; and called on the DRC government to communicate directly with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have complaints,” The statement added.

The conference also discussed a broader regional involvement, focusing on the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the DRC.

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EAC leaders decided on a joint EAC-SADC summit to arrange a coordinated way to move forward.

“An unusual meeting decided on the EAC-SADC joint meeting to discuss the way to move forward and order the chairman to consult with the SADC chairman on the immediate convention of the meeting in the next few days,” The statement added.

What is the situation in the DRC at the moment?

The DRC crisis has worsened in recent weeks, and reports of fierce fighting in Goma. Aid agencies have warned of severe food shortages and looting medical equipment.

Meanwhile, Rwanda's President Kagame has signaled the ceasefire following talks with US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, although Rwanda denies providing direct military assistance to the rebels.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke