An urgent summit being held in Tanzania on the recent developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is under way where African leaders are trying to find solutions to bring peace to the region.

Kenya’s President William Ruto, who is also the co-chair of the joint summit of heads of state on the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Dar es Salaam, said the situation demanded immediate, collective, and sustained attention.

President Cyril Ramaphosa also attended the summit.

“The Eastern region of the DRC has been engulfed in a devastating conflict for over two decades now, and this tragedy has claimed thousands of lives, displaced countless civilians, inflicted unbearable suffering and loss and set back the developmental momentum of one of the most promising places in the world.”

“The recent escalation of hostilities in Goma and the surrounding areas is a stark reminder of the increasing fragility the situation presents and that only urgent collective action to facilitate a negotiated solution will offer relief,” Ruto said.

Addressing members at the summit, Ruto reiterated the calls to immediately cease hostilities and take positive actions to allow meaningful dialogue aimed at the restoration of stability.

“We stand together to call on all parties to actualise the ceasefire; and specifically, on the M23 to halt further advancement and the armed forces of the DRC, to cease all retaliatory measures.

"An immediate ceasefire is the only way by which we can create the necessary conditions for constructive dialogue and implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement,” he said.

As members of the African Union and the United Nations, Ruto said, they are bound by fundamental principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations and the principle of good neighbourliness.

“We as responsible members of the international community are bound by the obligation to ensure the safety of diplomatic assets, civilians, and personnel, as well as peacekeepers within our countries.”

“The wanton disregard for the sanctity of life, diplomatic missions, and peacekeepers is not only a brazen demonstration of lawless and unprincipled pursuit of violent harm and destruction, it is a grave affront to the rules-based international order. It must stop at once,” Ruto said.

He said the humanitarian cost of the conflict in the DRC was staggering. Millions of civilians have been displaced, and many live under the persistent threat of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence against women and children and the recruitment of children to take part in combat.

“We call upon the international community to step up and do its part in supporting regional efforts in delivering for the DRC and, critically, collaborating with the government of the DRC to deliver support and security to those most in need.”

Ruto said it was clear that the conflict in the DRC is complex, delicate, and protracted and involves multiple actors pursuing different interests.

“We have to agree that only a comprehensive diplomatic approach - one that addresses the root causes of the crisis, secures the territorial integrity of the DRC, and affirms the sovereignty of its people and their aspirations for freedom, justice, and development will establish enduring peace.

"Such an approach must also bring together multiple stakeholders – regional states, international bodies, political organisations, civil society groups, and the Congolese government itself – to dialogue and collaborate inorder to explore, develop and implement a lasting solution,” Ruto said.

“I therefore urge Your Excellencies at this extraordinary joint summit to deploy our best effort and muster our total commitment to facilitate a sustainable settlement that lays the foundation for a stable and prosperous Democratic Republic of Congo,” Ruto said.

He said the international community should stand in solidarity with the people of DRC during this time by aligning their support with this initiative.

“The security of the DRC is essential not only to the stability of the country but also to the prosperity and cohesion of the entire EAC and SADC. We call upon all parties to prioritise dialogue, cooperation, and, above all, the protection of civilian lives,” Ruto added.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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