DRC conflict a concern for neighbouring countries as it could spill over - Ruto

Ruto was addressing a joint East African Community-Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, which he co-chaired with Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa; bringing together 15 heads of state and their representatives. 

Ruto said the ongoing war in DRC has the potential to spill over with serious consequences such as loss of lives, instability and displacement of people.

At the same time, the summit adopted the report on the outcomes of an earlier meeting held on March 17, 2025 in Harare, Zimbabwe; directing the implementation of immediate, medium and long-term measures to attain sustainable peace and security in eastern DRC.

During the meeting, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe were appointed to the panel of facilitators.

Also appointed was former Central African Republic President Catherine Samba and Ethiopia's former president Sahle-Work Zewde.

They are expected to convey the outcomes of the summit to both the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) Council. 

Meanwhile Ruto and Mnangagwa were directed to convene a briefing session with the panel of facilitators within the next seven days; for a joint briefing by SADC, EAC and the AU. 

DRC is grappling with one of the world's most extensive displacement and humanitarian crises, forcing millions to abandon their homes.

With at least 7,000 fatalities in recent months and countless others injured; the surge in violence has predominantly stemmed from armed groups, notably the M23 rebels, who have escalated their offensive.

In January, M23 took control of Goma, the capital of the mineral-rich North Kivu province, followed by the capture of Bukavu, the capital of neighboring South Kivu, in February; before advancing towards the West.