The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Felix Tshisekedi has failed to attend in person a forum aimed at discussing the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC.
This development comes after Tshisekedi snubbed another virtual meeting organized by Kenya’s president William Ruto in Cairo, Egypt.
The meeting was attended by all heads of state in the East African Community (EAC) save for Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye and Tshisekedi.
At the joint summit on Saturday, February 8, 2025, however, Tshisekedi’s Rwandan counterpart who is considered as his main rival in the conflict Paul Kagame attended the summit even as South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa equally failed to attend in person.
Heads of state attending
The heads of state attending in person are Zambia President Hichilema Hakainde, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Kenya’s William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu, Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa and Rwanda’s Kagame.
Others are African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, Burundi’s Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca, Angola’s Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio, Minister for EAC in South Sudan Deng Alor, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malawi Nancy Tembo, South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ronald Lamola and the Madagascar Minister for Armed Forces Gen Sahivelo Monja.
South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa equally failed to attend the meeting, preferring to be represented by the country’s Prime Minister Ronald Lamola in the wake of simmering tensions between Ramaphosa and Kagame.
Ramaphosa-Kagame spat
In a statement on February 3, 2025, Ramaphosa indicated that he was under pressure by a section of South Africans who were calling for the withdrawal of South African troops in DRC.
“In the wake of the tragic killing of our soldiers, some have questioned South Africa’s presence in the eastern DRC. Some have said that we have no business being there,” Ramaphosa said.
“But violence and conflict in Africa is the business of all Africans. The humanitarian, economic and social effects of these conflicts are felt across borders and regions. Instability in any part of the continent affects the prospects for growth and development across the continent.”
Ramaphosa and Kagame on January 30, 2025, found themselves in an awkward situation after their diplomatic spat spilled onto the internet.
In a daring remark, Kagame dared South Africa to a confrontation, noting that the country had no role in mediation.
“If South Africa wants to contribute to peaceful solutions, that is well and good, but South Africa is in no position to take on the role of a peacemaker or mediator. And if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the ma
