DR Congo: African Leaders Consider Talks with Rebels to End Conflict

In a historic joint summit, African leaders called for an immediate ceasefire in DRC involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels

In Brief

Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) leaders held a historic joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The meeting resulted in a call for an immediate ceasefire across all warring parties involved in the DRC.

The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized key cities, including the city of Goma, causing significant casualties and displacement.

Leaders emphasized the need for dialogue with all parties, including the accused of war crimes M23 rebels, to resolve the crisis peacefully.

The humanitarian situation remains dire, with thousands affected by ongoing violence.

Situation Report

On February 8, 2025, leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) convened an unprecedented joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, focusing on resolving the escalating crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The gathering was prompted by recent advances by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who captured Goma—the largest city in eastern DRC—resulting in thousands of deaths since late January.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan underscored the urgency of addressing this crisis before it worsens further. At the same time, Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized that military solutions are insufficient; instead advocating for diplomatic approaches that address root causes.

The summit concluded with a call for an immediate ceasefire across all warring parties involved.

Defence chiefs from both blocs were tasked with devising technical strategies within five days to enforce this ceasefire effectively.

Additionally, there was consensus on resuming direct negotiations under existing frameworks like Luanda-Nairobi processes.

These talks aim at neutralizing other armed groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) while urging Rwanda's disengagement from Congolese territory.

Despite these efforts, divisions remain between the EAC nations leaning towards dialogue proposed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, versus SADC countries supporting Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s stance against alleged Rwandan interference.