African Leaders Push for Peace in DR Congo Conflict, Urge Immediate Ceasefire
Leaders from East and Southern Africa have come together to demand an immediate stop to the deadly fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
At a crisis meeting in Tanzania, organized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), they called for all groups involved in the conflict to begin peace talks within five days.
This includes the M23 rebels, who are backed by Rwanda and have been fighting DR Congo’s government forces.
According to the BBC, the M23 rebels have taken control of large areas in eastern DR Congo, including the city of Goma.
Their recent advance toward Bukavu has raised fears that the conflict could spread and turn into a larger regional war. To address this, army chiefs have been asked to create a security plan for Goma and nearby areas.
The fighting has caused immense suffering. UN reports shared by the BBC show that nearly 2,900 people have been killed since January, and around 700,000 have been forced to flee their homes. Thousands more have been injured.
The summit, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, brought together heads of state and government officials to find solutions to the worsening crisis. The leaders agreed that political and diplomatic efforts are the best way to end the conflict.
They also called for the reopening of Goma’s airport and other key routes to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. Additionally, they demanded that foreign armed forces, who are not invited, leave DR Congo’s territory.
The M23 rebels, who are mostly ethnic Tutsis, claim they are fighting for minority rights. However, the DR Congo government accuses them of trying to take control of the region’s valuable minerals, with support from Rwanda.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who attended the summit, has repeatedly denied supporting the rebels. But, as reported by the BBC, a group of UN experts says Rwanda is deeply involved, training M23 fighters and providing them with advanced weapons.
After the summit, Kagame posted on Facebook, accusing DR Congo of creating security problems for Rwanda. Meanwhile, DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi joined the meeting via video link, while Prime Minister Judith Suminwa attended in person.
Kenyan President William Ruto, who leads the EAC, emphasized that military action alone cannot solve the crisis. He said, “We cannot just shoot or bomb our way out of such a complex situation.” Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan added that regional leaders have a shared responsibility to end the conflict, warning that history will judge them harshly if they fail to act.
The conflict in DR Congo has roots in the 1990s but has grown worse in recent weeks. The country is so large—about two-thirds the size of Western Europe—that it belongs to both the East and Southern African blocs.
The BBC’s reporting highlights the complexity of the crisis, with its mix of political, economic, and regional tensions. The leaders’ call for peace talks and humanitarian aid is a crucial step, but the road to lasting peace remains challenging.
Credit: This summary is based on reporting by the BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew5q04q427o