Faced with the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the heads of state of the East African Community (EAC) held an emergency virtual summit on Monday chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto.
The discussions highlighted regional divisions as fighting intensifies on the ground and diplomatic tensions escalate, notably between Rwanda and South Africa.
EAC Demands Immediate Ceasefire, Calls for Restraint
Meeting via videoconference, EAC leaders expressed their “deep concern” at the rapidly deteriorating security situation and demanded an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” between Congolese forces and the M23 rebel group.
In their final statement, seen by APA, the heads of state warned against any regional escalation and insisted on the need to respect the territorial integrity of the DRC. They also called for the protection of diplomatic missions following several acts of vandalism targeting embassies in Kinshasa.
The EAC also proposed strengthening coordination between its own regional force and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is currently deploying the SAMIDRC mission in support of Congolese forces.
Tshisekedi Mobilises the Nation, Accuses Rwanda
A few hours before the virtual summit, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi addressed the nation, denouncing an “aggression” by Rwanda via the M23.
He accused Kigali of violating the DRC’s sovereignty and fomenting instability in the east of the country.
He announced the appointment of Major General Évariste Somo Kakule as military governor of North Kivu to intensify the response of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).
He also called for a general mobilisation, urging young people to join the army and promising a budget reallocation in favour of war efforts.
“This fight is not only that of the FARDC. It is the fight of an entire people, of our Congolese identity,” he said, while condemning the attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa and calling for discipline and national unity.
Diplomatic Tensions Between Rwanda and South Africa
The crisis has sparked a war of words between Kigali and Pretoria following the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in an attack in eastern DRC.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused the M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) of being responsible for these losses.
He called the RDF a “militia,” a statement that immediately triggered the ire of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Kagame denounced “lies” and claimed that Ramaphosa had privately confided in him that the South African soldiers had been killed by the FARDC and not by the M23.
Kagame also criticised the SAMIDRC mission, which he considers a “belligerent force” supporting armed groups hostile to Rwanda, notably the FDLR.
For his part, Ramaphosa reaffirmed that South Africa’s engagement in the DRC was solely aimed at protecting Congolese territorial integrity.
In a threatening tone, Kagame warned, “If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the issue in that context anytime,” rejecting any attempt at South African mediation.
United States Denounces the Capture of Goma, Warns Kigali
For their part, the United States strongly condemned Tuesday the capture of Goma, a strategic city in eastern DRC, by the armed group M23, which Washington says is supported by Rwanda.
In a telephone conversation with Kagame, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was “deeply troubled” by the escalation of the conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire and respect for the DRC’s territorial integrity.
In New York, before the UN Security Council, US Ambassador Dorothy Shea urged Rwanda to withdraw its troops from Congolese territory.
She also deplored the destruction of diplomatic facilities in Kinshasa, calling on the Congolese government to ensure the protection of diplomatic premises and personnel.
The humanitarian situation is of great concern, with a growing number of displaced people in Sake, Goma and the surrounding area.
The ambassador also expressed concern about the opening of a new front in South Kivu.
Washington is particularly concerned about Rwanda’s use of GPS jamming systems and advanced weapons, endangering UN personnel and civilians.
Three peacekeepers have already lost their lives in the recent clashes.
The US has announced that it is considering all available options to hold accountable the actors fuelling the conflict, while calling for a negotiated solution that takes into account regional economic arrangements concerning the mineral resources of the Great Lakes.
An Explosive Situation on the Ground
As diplomatic tensions reach an unprecedented level, fighting continues on the ground.
The M23 has intensified its offensive and taken several strategic towns around Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
The DRC is calling for strong action from the international community, while the EAC is trying to defuse the crisis through diplomatic channels.
Between the military response advocated by Kinshasa and the calls for regional dialogue, the Congolese crisis is more than ever a major challenge for the stability of Central and Southern Africa.
AC/sf/lb/jn/APA