While the Southern African Development Community condemns Rwanda’s involvement in the violence in the DRC, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye spoke with Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi about the situation in the east of the country.
Concerned with contributing to regional stability, he advocates for a frank dialogue to reach a lasting peace.
Kagame on Saturday began a dialogue with his Senegalese counterpart on regional security issues, while SADC, meeting in an extraordinary summit in Harare, condemned the involvement of Rwandan forces in the violence in the DRC.
This diplomatic move towards West Africa, focused on “the importance of continental collaboration” for regional security, comes as the SADC expresses its “serious concern” over the attacks by the M23 group and the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) against Congolese forces and the regional mission in North Kivu.
The Senegalese leader confirmed that he had “fruitful telephone conversations” with Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi.
“I wanted to inquire about the turn of events and, with the two leaders, explore avenues for a frank dialogue for lasting peace in the region. Senegal remains committed to stability and security in Africa and the world,” he said.
While Kigali seeks to strengthen ties with Dakar, where Kagame made a two-day visit in May 2024, the Harare summit paints a damning picture of the recent violence, marked by the death of several South African, Tanzanian and Malawian soldiers during clashes in Sake.
Faced with this escalation, the SADC has taken concrete measures, including the immediate dispatch of defense ministers to the region and the scheduling of a joint summit with the East African Community (EAC), while reaffirming its support for the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA