EAC leaders to meet over DRC crisis
Kenyan President William Ruto, Chair of the East African Community says he will convene an Extraordinary Summit in the next 48 hours to chart the way forward after consulting the Heads of State of EAC Member States on the escalating security crisis in eastern DR Congo. President Ruto says he had spoken to President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo.
Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:59:06 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- The announcement of an Extraordinary Summit within the next 48 hours by Kenyan President William Ruto, Chair of the East African Community, reflects the urgent need to address the escalating security crisis in eastern DRC.
- President Ruto's call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, coupled with the emphasis on facilitating humanitarian access and pursuing peaceful means to resolve the conflict, highlights the humanitarian concerns and the commitment to peace in the region.
- President Ruto's appeal to the conflicting parties, as well as the African Union and other international bodies, to prioritize engagement and work towards sustainable peace underscores the collaborative efforts needed to bring an end to the crisis and restore stability in the region.
East African Community (EAC) leaders are poised to tackle the escalating security crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as Kenyan President William Ruto, the current Chair of the EAC, announced plans to convene an Extraordinary Summit within the next 48 hours. President Ruto revealed that he had consulted with the Heads of State of EAC Member States and had held discussions with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Felix Tshisekedi of DRC regarding the pressing situation. The move comes in response to the grave concerns over the deteriorating conditions in eastern DRC, including the worsening humanitarian crisis and the closure of airspace in Goma. Calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, President Ruto emphasized the need for all parties to allow unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations and urged a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The escalating violence, along with rising diplomatic tensions, has underscored the urgency for a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of the region's people, especially vulnerable groups like women and children. As the current EAC Chair, Kenya recognizes the pivotal role of the region in de-escalating the violence and fostering dialogue between the conflicting parties. President Ruto reiterated the belief that sustainable peace can only be achieved through constructive engagement, dialogue, and a genuine commitment to peace. He called on all stakeholders, particularly the parties involved in the Luanda Process on Eastern DRC, to prioritize peace and reconciliation. President Ruto appealed to President Tshisekedi and President Kagame to work towards peace in eastern DRC and restore good neighborliness among the nations. In line with the EAC Summit's decision of November 2024, President Ruto announced the forthcoming Extraordinary Summit to address the crisis and seek a way forward, expressing gratitude for the confirmed participation of both President Tshisekedi and President Kagame. President Ruto also emphasized the importance of the African Union's active role in resolving the crisis, highlighting the EAC's readiness to collaborate with the AU, SADC, and the international community to encourage meaningful engagement among the conflicting parties.
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