Rwandan and Congolese Leaders Meet to Discuss Eastern DRC Conflict

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi participated in a summit on Saturday in Tanzania, where regional leaders called for an “immediate ceasefire” in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The violence, largely driven by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, has seen the group capture large areas of eastern DRC, a region rich in minerals, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.

M23 seized the key city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, last week and is advancing into South Kivu. This marks the latest chapter in the long-standing instability of the region. Kagame attended the summit in person in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, while Tshisekedi joined via video call. The summit brought together leaders from the eight countries of the East African Community (EAC) as well as the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Kenyan President William Ruto, the current chair of the EAC, called on all parties to implement the ceasefire, urging M23 to halt its advance and the Congolese armed forces to cease retaliatory actions. Other leaders present at the summit included the presidents of Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Local Concerns and Continuing Conflict

Since M23’s resurgence in 2021, multiple peace talks facilitated by Angola and Kenya have failed, and ceasefires have consistently broken down. Rwanda continues to deny allegations of military support for M23, but a UN report last year suggested that Rwanda had approximately 4,000 troops operating in the DRC, with accusations of benefiting from the illegal export of gold and coltan, a mineral crucial for electronics.

Rwanda accuses the DRC of harboring the FDLR, a militia group formed by ethnic Hutus responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide against Tutsis.

The summit comes as M23 forces advance towards Kavumu, a town with an airport critical for supplying Congolese troops. Kavumu represents the last significant defense before reaching Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, which borders Rwanda. Panic has spread through Bukavu, where residents have barricaded shops and emptied storerooms in anticipation of looting. Schools and universities suspended classes, and the border with Rwanda has become nearly impassable due to an exodus of people fleeing the fighting.

“Total chaos” was reported by a local resident, who described the situation as increasingly desperate.

Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Instability

UN human rights chief Volker Turk has issued a warning that the situation in eastern DRC could worsen unless immediate action is taken. According to Turk, nearly 3,000 people have been confirmed killed and 2,880 wounded since M23 entered Goma on January 26, with the final toll expected to be much higher. Turk also reported ongoing investigations into allegations of rape, gang rape, and sexual slavery committed during the conflict.

M23 has already established its own local government in Goma, including installing a mayor. The group has vowed to push towards the DRC’s capital, Kinshasa, which is located about 1,000 miles away. The DRC army, known for its poor training and corruption, has been repeatedly forced to retreat in the face of M23’s advances.

The escalating offensive has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, with several neighboring countries, including South Africa, Burundi, and Malawi, supporting DRC militarily. The situation remains tense as efforts to broker a lasting peace continue to falter.