A high-stakes summit between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) commenced today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as regional leaders seek urgent solutions to the worsening conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Regional Leaders Convene Amid Rising Tensions
Among the first leaders to arrive for the summit was Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expected shortly after. Meanwhile, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi opted to participate virtually, delegating Prime Minister Judith Suminwa to represent his administration in person.
Also in attendance are Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, marking the first diplomatic engagement between Rwanda and the DRC since peace talks in Angola collapsed in December last year.
Differing Views on Resolving the Conflict
The summit takes place amid escalating tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, with the DRC government demanding:
- The immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory.
- The reopening of Goma Airport to facilitate humanitarian aid.
- Sanctions against Rwanda for its alleged support of M23 rebels.
However, Rwanda has pushed back, expressing concerns over the presence of SADC troops in eastern DRC, calling their deployment an “offensive move.” Kigali is demanding the withdrawal of both SADC and Burundian forces before any further negotiations take place.
The EAC and SADC hold contrasting views on resolving the crisis:
- The EAC supports direct negotiations between the Congolese government and M23 rebels—a position President Tshisekedi firmly rejects in favor of a military approach.
- SADC, now leading the peacekeeping mission in the DRC, demands the withdrawal of Rwandan forces before considering peace talks.
UN Warns of Regional Spillover
With diplomatic divisions deepening, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has cautioned that the conflict is at a “pivotal moment”, warning that it could engulf the entire Great Lakes region if left unchecked.
Goma Crisis Worsens as M23 Rebels Advance
While leaders deliberate in Dar es Salaam, the situation on the ground has taken a dramatic turn. The M23 rebels have seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, and continue to push further south.
On Wednesday, insurgents captured Nyabibwe, a strategic mining town in South Kivu province, and are now advancing toward Bukavu, the provincial capital.
This escalation has triggered mass panic, with reports indicating that:
- Schools, businesses, and universities have shut down.
- The Catholic University of Bukavu has indefinitely suspended classes.
- Displacement camps have been looted and destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands without access to healthcare, clean water, or shelter.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 2,800 people have died in Goma due to the recent wave of violence. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with critical shortages of food, medical supplies, and electricity affecting displaced communities.
A Critical Summit with High Stakes
As discussions unfold in Tanzania, the region awaits a breakthrough that could determine the next steps in resolving the DRC crisis. Whether EAC and SADC leaders can bridge their differences remains to be seen, but what is certain is that time is running out for thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire.
Stay tuned for further updates on the summit’s resolutions and the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
