High-stakes diplomacy is unfolding in Tanzania as Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi join regional leaders to address escalating violence in eastern DRC. The emergency summit comes after the rebel group M23 captured the strategic city of Goma and expanded into South Kivu province, displacing thousands.
The talks bring together the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, with Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe among nations present. Notably, Tshisekedi will attend via video call amid heightened tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels – a claim Rwanda denies while counter-accusing the DRC of sheltering groups linked to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
This marks the latest attempt to resolve a crisis that’s seen multiple failed ceasefires since 2021. As mineral-rich eastern DRC faces renewed instability, young professionals and travelers are watching closely – the region’s cobalt and copper supplies are critical to global tech and green energy sectors.
With peace talks hosted by Angola and Kenya previously collapsing, all eyes are on whether this expanded regional approach can break the cycle. As one Tanzanian delegate quipped: \"This isn’t just diplomacy – it’s survival mode for Central Africa.\"
