Regional Leaders Convene for Critical Dialogue
In what promises to be a pivotal meeting, the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, respectively, are set to meet in Dar es Salaam. This extraordinary summit, heralded by Kenyan President William Ruto, aims to dissect the escalating hostilities in eastern Congo. President Ruto’s announcement on Monday marked a significant diplomatic endeavor as tensions simmer between the two nations.
Why is this summit happening now? Just recently, Congolese delegates rebuffed any interaction with President Kagame at an East African Community (EAC) gathering, asserting grievances based on accusations of Rwanda’s alleged backing of M23 insurgents.
Scheduled for an intensive two-day dialogue, the summit will usher in an assembly of state leaders from both the EAC’s six members and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), boasting sixteen states. Their daunting task? To chart a course of action regarding security turbulence and explore cohesive diplomatic solutions.
Zimbabwean President and SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa, alongside EAC Chair and Kenyan President Ruto, stand as key orchestrators of this consequential assembly.
“President Samia Suluhu Hassan has graciously agreed to host the summit to deliberate on the situation in Eastern DRC,” Ruto conveyed through a formal presidential communique. This gathering holds particular gravity given the participation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Their joint presence underscores the weight of this convocation.
The urgency of this summit cannot be overstated. Eastern Congo’s plight has intensified — the M23 rebels clash vehemently with government forces, a development that’s already displaced tens of thousands. As chaos spreads across borders, anxiety around regional security and humanitarian intervention escalates.
The United Nations’ recent report paints a grim picture: a five-day death toll has reached at least 700 lives lost, with upwards of 2,800 injured. Tragically, peacekeeping efforts have not escaped unscathed, culminating in the demise of at least 20 peacekeepers, 14 of whom hailed from South Africa.
Amidst this turmoil, the residents of Goma face an unexpected nuisance — disruptions in social media. Platforms like X and TikTok are unavailable, though the Higher Council of Audiovisual and Communication in Congo remains in the dark regarding these digital hiccups.
One might wonder: Does this summit hold the promise of peace, or is it merely a perfunctory exercise in diplomacy? Perhaps it recalls the oft-repeated adage that “peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means,” as Ronald Reagan once noted.
