Presidents of Eastern and Southern African regional blocs on Saturday met for an unprecedented joint summit to find a way out of a conflict in eastern Congo, where Rwandan-backed rebels’ rapid advance since January has fanned fears of a wider war.
DAILY POST reports that the M23 rebels last week captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the worst escalation of fighting in more than a decade that has left thousands dead.
Despite announcing a unilateral ceasefire, the rebels have continued to march south toward the city of Bukavu.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame stood on stage at the start of talks in Dar es Salaam, while his Congolese counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi, attended via video link.
“History will judge us harshly if we remain still and watch the situation worsen, day by day,” Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan said at the opening ceremony.
DAILY POST reports that the first-ever summit of both Eastern and Southern African blocs underscores the continent’s deep concern over the crisis and the standoff between Congo and neighboring Rwanda, which has denied allegations of fueling the conflict with its own troops and weapons.
According to experts and diplomats, the two groupings have, so far, been broadly divided over the conflict, with the eastern bloc closer to Rwanda’s call for dialogue and southern countries backing Congo, expressing anger over the deaths of peacekeepers.
The leaders are seeking a breakthrough after two peace processes in Luanda and Nairobi stalled amid escalating tensions.
The blocs’ foreign ministers have recommended that the summit consider calling for the cessation of hostilities, an unconditional ceasefire, and the reopening of Goma airport and other key routes to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid.
Congo conflict: Eastern, Southern African leaders seek solution
