DRC conflict cannot be resolved militarily, says Ruto as joint summit underway

President William Ruto, the chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), has warned that external actors are undermining efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement issued ahead of the joint EAC and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State summit  in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Ruto said the crisis could no longer ignore the “clandestine international dimension at work,” which he described as “cynical and destructive.”

“It is clear that the conflict in the DRC is complex, delicate, and protracted and involves multiple actors pursuing different interests.”

“For this reason, it is equally clear that such a conflict cannot be resolved through military means,” he said.

Ruto cautioned that a military approach, rather than dialogue, would have far-reaching consequences.

He urged the Congolese government, along with international and regional actors, including civil society organisations, to embrace dialogue.

“We have to agree that only a comprehensive diplomatic approach- one that addresses the root causes of the crisis, secures the territorial integrity of the DRC, and affirms the sovereignty of its people and their aspirations for freedom, justice, and development will establish enduring peace,” said Ruto.

He also reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to restore peace in eastern DRC.

On Friday, the United Nations warned that the situation could worsen if violence spreads to other regions.

Ruto is among EAC and SADC leaders attending the summit, alongside Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema.

DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi is participating virtually, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his foreign minister as his representative, The Standard has learned.