*Regional leaders express the need for a diplomatic resolution amidst fears of a broader conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.*
**African Leaders Demand Urgent Ceasefire in DR Congo Conflict**
**African Leaders Demand Urgent Ceasefire in DR Congo Conflict**
*Summit in Dar es Salaam calls for peace talks and humanitarian aid to address escalating violence.*
In a pressing appeal to quell the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaders from eastern and southern African nations convened at a critical summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The meeting, organized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC), culminated in a call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire among warring factions, specifically the government forces and the Rwanda-supported M23 rebels.
At the forefront of concerns was the M23 group, which has made significant territorial gains, including the strategic city of Goma, and is moving towards Bukavu, igniting fears of a regional conflict. In light of these developments, military officials have been tasked with drafting a security strategy for Goma and its vicinity. Recent United Nations assessments indicate the conflict has resulted in approximately 2,900 fatalities since January, along with the displacement of around 700,000 individuals and countless injuries.
The summit issued a communique advocating for political and diplomatic methods as the most sustainable means of resolving the conflict. It also emphasized the necessity of reopening Goma airport and critical transportation routes to ensure humanitarian supplies reach those in need while calling for the removal of unauthorized foreign military presence in the region.
M23, comprised primarily of ethnic Tutsis, argues that it is fighting for the rights of minorities, while the Congolese government accuses them of attempting to seize control of the region's rich mineral resources. Despite ongoing accusations of Rwandan support for M23, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied any involvement and shifted the narrative to frame the DR Congo as a security threat to Rwanda.
Notably absent from the tangible outcomes of the summit was the personal presence of DR Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi, who attended via video link as Prime Minister Judith Suminwa represented the country onsite. Kenyan President William Ruto, currently heading the EAC, highlighted the complexities of the situation, insisting that a military-oriented approach would not effectively resolve the crisis. Tanzanian leader Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasized a "collective responsibility" among regional leaders to tackle the worsening situation, warning that inaction would lead to harsh judgments from history.
The conflict, which has roots extending back to the 1990s, has seen a remarkable surge in violence recently, prompting a unified regional response to prevent further escalation in the vast and resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo.
At the forefront of concerns was the M23 group, which has made significant territorial gains, including the strategic city of Goma, and is moving towards Bukavu, igniting fears of a regional conflict. In light of these developments, military officials have been tasked with drafting a security strategy for Goma and its vicinity. Recent United Nations assessments indicate the conflict has resulted in approximately 2,900 fatalities since January, along with the displacement of around 700,000 individuals and countless injuries.
The summit issued a communique advocating for political and diplomatic methods as the most sustainable means of resolving the conflict. It also emphasized the necessity of reopening Goma airport and critical transportation routes to ensure humanitarian supplies reach those in need while calling for the removal of unauthorized foreign military presence in the region.
M23, comprised primarily of ethnic Tutsis, argues that it is fighting for the rights of minorities, while the Congolese government accuses them of attempting to seize control of the region's rich mineral resources. Despite ongoing accusations of Rwandan support for M23, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied any involvement and shifted the narrative to frame the DR Congo as a security threat to Rwanda.
Notably absent from the tangible outcomes of the summit was the personal presence of DR Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi, who attended via video link as Prime Minister Judith Suminwa represented the country onsite. Kenyan President William Ruto, currently heading the EAC, highlighted the complexities of the situation, insisting that a military-oriented approach would not effectively resolve the crisis. Tanzanian leader Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasized a "collective responsibility" among regional leaders to tackle the worsening situation, warning that inaction would lead to harsh judgments from history.
The conflict, which has roots extending back to the 1990s, has seen a remarkable surge in violence recently, prompting a unified regional response to prevent further escalation in the vast and resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo.
