Tanzania will host a key summit to address the conflict in eastern DRC. Leaders from SADC and EAC will meet this Friday and Saturday. They aim to resolve the crisis caused by clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese army. Kenya’s State House stated the meeting seeks unity and solutions.
The summit follows an agreement between SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa and EAC Chairperson William Ruto. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan will host the talks. Presidents Félix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) will attend.
A ministerial meeting starts on Friday. Heads of State will also meet on Saturday. Both regional blocs agreed last week to discuss the crisis. President Ruto confirmed South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will join.
The EAC, led by Ruto, held a virtual meeting this week. SADC leaders met last Friday in Zimbabwe. Both groups agreed to work together on the DRC conflict.
Recent clashes also displaced hundreds of thousands. M23 rebels continue gaining ground despite regional and international condemnation. The DRC is a member of SADC and EAC. Rwanda belongs to the EAC.
President Mnangagwa expressed confidence in the summit’s outcomes. President Tshisekedi did not attend recent meetings in person but followed online.
This summit shows a united effort to bring peace to the region