East African Community Heads of State held an extraordinary summit on January 29, 2025, to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The virtual meeting, attended by presidents from Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Uganda, aimed to address the recent developments in the eastern DRC.
According to the communiqué released after the summit, “The Summit deliberated on the developments and deteriorating security situation in Eastern DRC which led to the loss of lives, humanitarian crisis and suffering of people in particular women and children.”
The summit expressed concern over the loss of lives, humanitarian crisis, and suffering of people, particularly women and children. They offered condolences to the affected families and wished a quick recovery to those injured. As stated in the communiqué, “The Summit offered condolences to the families of those affected by the recent developments in the Eastern DRC and further wished a quick recovery to those injured.”
The leaders urged the government of the DRC to protect diplomatic missions, lives, and property, citing attacks on embassies and staff in Kinshasa. The communiqué noted, “The Summit also expressed concern about the expanding crisis manifesting in attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies and staff based in Kinshasa. Accordingly, the Summit urged the Government of DRC to protect diplomatic missions, lives and property.”
The summit called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian access to the affected population. As stated, “The Summit called on all parties to the conflict in Eastern DRC to cease hostilities and observe immediate and unconditional ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population.”
The leaders emphasized the need for peaceful conflict resolution, urging the DRC government to engage directly with stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups. The communiqué stated, “The Summit called for peaceful settlement of the conflicts; and strongly urged the Government of the DRC to directly engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances.”
Notably, the leaders decided on a joint East African Community-Southern African Development Community (EAC-SADC) summit to discuss the way forward. The communiqué noted, “Noting that South African Development Community (SADC) has also been involved in Eastern DRC, the Summit decided on a joint EAC- SADC Summit to deliberate on the way forward; and mandated the Chairperson to consult with the Chairperson of SADC on the urgent convening of the same in the next few days.”
This extraordinary summit demonstrates the region’s commitment to addressing the pressing issues in the eastern DRC. The leaders’ call for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and peaceful conflict resolution underscores their determination to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
