DRC crisis: EAC calls for immediate ceasefire, urges Congo to engage M23

East African Community (EAC) Heads of State on Wednesday urged all parties to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to immediately cease hostilities and observe unconditional ceasefire.

Presidents William Ruto of Kenya, Hassan Mohamud of Somalia, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, Burundi’s Evariste Ndayishimiye, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda met to discuss the recent escalation of conflict in the DRC, where M23 rebels who have seized the eastern city of Goma extended their advance earlier in the day.

While Congo is a member of the regional bloc Ruto chairs, the country’s leader Felix Tshisekedi did not attend Wednesday’s emergency virtual session. He reportedly visited neighbouring Angola, which has mediated the crisis.

The EAC leaders called for a peaceful settlement of the conflicts and “strongly urged the government of the DRC to directly engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances,” a late evening communiqué from the summit noted.

“Noting that the South African Development Community (SADC) has also been involved in eastern DRC, the summit decided on a joint EAC-SADC summit to deliberate on the way forward; and mandated the chairperson to consult with the chairperson of SADC on the urgent convening of the same in the next few days,” it added.

The summit similarly “expressed concern” about the attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies and staff based in Kinshasa.

“Accordingly, the summit urged the government of DRC to protect diplomatic missions, lives and property,” the dispatch added.

M23 rebels captured Goma, a city of 2 million people, on Monday. Congo, the U.N., the U.S. and other Western powers say Rwandan forces backed the rebels but Kigali has denied this.

The rebel group on Wednesday advanced south and seized two districts in South Kivu province following battles with Congolese troops.

In a televised address late Wednesday, Tshisekedi said his troops were mounting a “vigorous and coordinated response against these terrorists and their sponsors.”

He criticised the international community for their “inaction” in the face of an “unprecedented worsening of the security situation”.