The East African Community Heads of State convened an Extraordinary Summit on January 29, 2025, to address the deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The summit, held virtually, included Dr. William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda.
The summit focused on the escalating crisis in Eastern DRC, which has resulted in significant loss of life, widespread humanitarian suffering, and displacement, particularly affecting women and children.
The Heads of State offered their condolences to the families of those affected by the violence and wished for a quick recovery for those injured.
"The security situation in Eastern DRC continues to spiral out of control, and we are deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of the ongoing violence," the summit communique stated.
In addition to the security concerns, the summit expressed alarm over the increasing attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies, and staff based in Kinshasa.
The Heads of State urged the DRC government to prioritize the protection of diplomatic missions, lives, and property.
The summit called for an immediate ceasefire by all parties involved in the conflict and emphasized the need for access to humanitarian services for displaced populations.
The Heads of State also strongly encouraged the government of DRC to engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 rebel group, to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Furthermore, the summit recognized the involvement of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the region and decided to convene a joint EAC-SADC summit in the coming days to further discuss the way forward.
The East African Community Heads of State concluded by commending the Chairperson for swiftly organizing the summit, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to address the crisis in Eastern DRC.
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