- President William Ruto, Chair of the East African Community (EAC), has announced an extraordinary summit to address the escalating conflict in Eastern DRC and the worsening humanitarian situation.
- The summit will convene within 48 hours, bringing together regional leaders, including DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda President Paul Kagame, who have confirmed attendance.
- The meeting aims to deliberate on actionable solutions and reinforce the EAC’s November 2024 decision for constructive regional engagement.
President Ruto underscored the urgency of the situation, urging leaders involved in the Luanda process to uphold the principle of good neighborliness:
“I call on them to dedicate all efforts towards achieving peace in Eastern DRC and restoring good neighborliness—an essential principle underpinning regional peace and collective responsibility.”
The President stressed the need for a united approach to end violence, alleviate displacement, and stabilize the region.
The extraordinary summit seeks to:
Facilitate dialogue among EAC member states.
Build on previous peace efforts to address the root causes of conflict.
Coordinate regional responses to the humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
The conflict in Eastern DRC, fueled by:
- Armed groups, resource competition, and regional rivalries has persisted for decades.
- Civilians face violence and displacement, with limited success from past peace initiatives, such as the Luanda process.
Despite interventions, the humanitarian toll continues to escalate, threatening regional stability.
The attendance of Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame signals a renewed commitment to resolving the crisis. As Chair of the EAC, President Ruto’s leadership is critical in fostering meaningful dialogue and actionable outcomes.
This summit presents an opportunity to reset the region’s approach to peace, offering hope for lasting stability in the Eastern DRC.
