African leaders gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 7-8 for an emergency summit to address the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The summit, convened by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), was called in response to the recent surge in violence by the M23 rebel group, which has captured the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in her opening remarks, warned that African leaders who fail to resolve the conflict in eastern DRC will be judged by history. She highlighted the devastating consequences of the violence, including widespread displacement, economic disruption, and cross-border trade disruptions.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi participated via videoconference, while Rwandan President Paul Kagame, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni attended in person. Tshisekedi and Kagame, often accused of mutual tensions surrounding the conflict, did not address the gathering.
Mnangagwa and Ruto emphasized that a military solution is not viable and urged for a diplomatic approach to address the root causes of the crisis. Ruto stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to ensure the territorial integrity of the DRC and achieve lasting peace.
The summit also saw urgent appeals from regional organizations, including the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which condemned the attacks by the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda. The ECCAS called for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan armed forces from Congolese territory.
The advance of the M23 rebels has resulted in over 2,700 deaths, according to the United Nations. Families are desperately searching for missing loved ones, while the International Committee of the Red Cross is organizing mass burials.
Odette Maliyetu, the mother of a missing Congolese soldier, described the anguish of not knowing her son's fate. "We have visited funerals hoping to find him, but still nothing. We don't know if he is alive or dead," she lamented.
The UN warns that the number of casualties may be even higher, with reports of deaths caused by explosions and stray bullets. Chance Nzabanita recounted the loss of his grandmother: "She died after an explosion in the house where she was. Other people were seriously injured."
The United States has threatened to impose sanctions on Rwandan and Congolese officials, while the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, warned of the potential for widespread abuses, including sexual violence and slavery, if the conflict is not brought under control.
"If nothing is done, the worst is yet to come," Turk warned at an emergency meeting in Geneva.
Analysts emphasize that inclusive dialogue, taking into account the ethnic and political dynamics within the DRC, is essential for a sustainable solution. "Despite the nature of the proxy war, it is crucial that there is representation and inclusion in internal negotiations," stated Fidel Amakye Owusu.