DRC War: Tshisekedi, Kagame, Ramaphosa, Samia, Museveni, Mohamud and Ruto to Meet in Tanzania
Nairobi, Kenya – Kenyan President William Ruto has announced an extraordinary summit aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“I am glad the leadership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) has agreed to jointly caucus on the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Ruto said in a statement on February 3.
“Through our collective effort, we will ensure security reigns in our continent,” he added.
The summit, set to take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania this Friday and Saturday will bring together a powerful lineup of African leaders, reflecting the seriousness of the crisis. Confirmed attendees include:
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania
President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia
The summit comes amid growing concerns over regional stability following recent rebel advances and rising diplomatic tensions.
President Ruto emphasized the urgent need for collective action to restore peace in the DRC, stressing that “peace and security are critical ingredients for trade and investment in our region.”
This diverse assembly highlights the conflict’s far-reaching implications, not just for the DRC but for the broader Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa.
Regional Tensions
The summit comes high on the heels of heightened tensions following the capture of Goma by the M23 rebel group, backed by the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF). The rebels are said to be advancing towards Bukavu, raising fears of a potential push towards Kinshasa.
Diplomatic relations between several African nations are strained, particularly between South Africa and Rwanda, following the deaths of South African soldiers in the DRC and South Africa’s calls for Rwanda to withdraw its forces from Congolese territory. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has responded defiantly, warning that Rwanda is “ready for confrontation” if necessary.
Kenya has played a pivotal role in previous mediation efforts in the DRC, including hosting peace talks under the Nairobi Process.
The stakes are high. The conflict in the eastern DRC has already displaced millions of people and destabilized large swaths of the region. The involvement of multiple foreign actors, including regional powers like Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda, risks turning the DRC crisis into a full-blown regional conflict.
Additionally, the crisis threatens to undermine the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by disrupting key trade routes and discouraging foreign investment in one of Africa’s most resource-rich regions.
The summit represents a crucial test of Africa’s ability to resolve its own conflicts through diplomatic dialogue and regional cooperation—before the crisis spirals further out of control.