African leaders have united in a high-stakes push to halt escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), declaring an 'immediate ceasefire' during a landmark summit in Tanzania. The urgent call comes as rebel group M23 advances toward Bukavu, threatening to destabilize the region further.
Summit Sparks Action
The EAC-SADC summit, dubbed a 'historic' collaboration between East and Southern African blocs, directed military chiefs to devise ceasefire enforcement plans within 5 days. Leaders also prioritized restoring critical supply routes, including Goma International Airport, vandalized during recent clashes. 🚨
Peace Processes Merged
In a bold move, regional diplomats proposed merging two stalled peace initiatives: the Nairobi Process (led by Kenya) and the Luanda Process (backed by Angola). While Kinshasa rejects direct talks with M23, leaders urged renewed negotiations under a unified framework to prevent 'widespread regional war,' as Burundi’s president warned.
Behind the Headlines
The conflict traces back to ethnic tensions post-1994 Rwandan genocide, with DRC accusing Rwanda of backing M23—claims Rwanda denies. Over 2,900 lives were lost during M23’s January capture of Goma, per UN data. Thousands now flee toward Bukavu as fighting intensifies. 🏃♂️💔
Both Rwandan and DRC leaders attended the summit, which stressed respect for DRC’s sovereignty and the withdrawal of 'uninvited foreign forces.'
