EAC to Convene Urgent Meeting Over Eastern DRC Crisis

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: The East African Community (EAC) has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) citing an escalating humanitarian crisis.

In a communiqué on Sunday, Kenyan president William Ruto, the current Chair of the East African Community (EAC) stated that the crisis has been worsened by the ongoing military actions.

“These alarming developments, coupled with rising diplomatic tensions in the region, underscore the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to a conflict that continues to inflict untold suffering on the people, particularly women and children,” Ruto said.

While calling for an immediate de-escalation of tension and conflict, Ruto revealed that he had spoken with both DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to defuse the situation.

He announced that an emergency summit will be convened within 48 hours to address the escalating crisis in the East African nation.

“After consulting the heads of state of EAC member states, we will convene an extraordinary summit in the next 48 hours to chart the way forward,” he said.

At the same time, President Ruto urged DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame to heed the call for peace, and implement necessary actions to   achieve peace in the war-torn region

“We firmly believe that a sustainable solution can only be achieved through engagement, constructive dialogue, and a renewed commitment to peace,” he said.

Ruto has also urged the African Union (AU) to not remain passive in the escalating crisis. 

“The EAC stands ready to forge a stronger collaboration with the AU and SADC, as well as the international community in encouraging the warring parties to prioritise engagement.”

Congolese rebels said on Sunday said they had taken Goma, the biggest city in the east of the mineral-rich country, after a lightning advance that has forced thousands of people to flee and fuelled concerns of a regional war.