On Monday, January 29, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi announced that he would not attend a virtual emergency summit convened by East African Community (EAC) leaders to address the escalating crisis in the DRC.
Earlier on Monday, Ruto, in his capacity as EAC chairperson, called for the summit and said he had spoken with both Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who had reportedly agreed to attend.
The summit comes in the wake of escalating tensions in eastern DR Congo, where the M23 rebels recently captured Goma, the largest city in the region and the capital of North Kivu Province.
Presidential spokesperson Tina Salama confirmed that Tshisekedi’s absence was due to scheduling conflicts.
This marks a setback for President Ruto’s mediation efforts between the two leaders, especially as tensions remain high. Kinshasa has previously accused Ruto of bias, particularly regarding his call for direct talks with the M23 rebels, which Tshisekedi has vehemently opposed.
Tshisekedi’s criticisms of Ruto are not new. Last year, he publicly condemned Ruto’s handling of the Nairobi Peace Process, which was initially led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Tshisekedi described the peace efforts as “poorly managed” and even declared them “dead,” stating that Kenyatta should remain the official mediator. He further accused Ruto of aligning with Rwanda, adding, “I must admit, President Ruto is backing Rwanda.”
The DRC conflict has escalated in recent weeks, with ongoing violence in Goma, the largest city in the eastern part of the country. M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have been clashing with central government forces.
The United Nations estimates that over 400,000 people have been displaced due to the fighting, adding to the humanitarian crisis. Protests have erupted in Kinshasa, with demonstrators attacking embassies of countries seen as sympathetic to Rwanda, including the US, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda.
President Ruto, along with other East African leaders, continues to push for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a renewed commitment to peace talks. Speaking from Nairobi on Monday, he reiterated the importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Eastern DRC.
