East African leaders have urged for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, amid escalating violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
This call to action was made during a special virtual summit of the East African Community (EAC) hosted by Kenya, where leaders expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Congolese city of Goma.
The summit, attended by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, condemned attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa and urged the Congolese government to ensure the protection of embassies, diplomatic staff, and property.
Notably, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi skipped the virtual summit, instead traveling to Angola for talks with President Joao Lourenco.
Key Takeaways from the Summit:
- Immediate Ceasefire: East African leaders called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in eastern Congo.
- Direct Engagement: The leaders urged the Kinshasa government to engage directly with all stakeholders, including the M23 rebel group.
- Humanitarian Access: The summit emphasized the need for humanitarian access to the affected population.
- Joint Summit: The EAC heads of state agreed to hold a joint summit with Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders in the coming days.
The situation in eastern Congo remains dire, with a significant loss of life and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The international community is watching closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
