Kenya Announces Joint EAC-SADC Summit on Eastern DR Congo Crisis

Kenya, currently holding the East African Community (EAC) presidency, has announced a joint summit with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on February 7-8 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The meeting aims to address the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).

Kenyan President William Ruto, also the EAC chair, confirmed the participation of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. The urgency follows a recent M23 offensive, on the town of Goma and ongoing clashes in South Kivu.

Both regional blocs, which differ in their conflict resolution approaches, called for the summit to align their positions and prevent further escalation. The EAC supports negotiations between the Congolese government and M23 – an approach Tshisekedi has rejected.

Instead, he replaced the EAC peacekeeping force with SADC troops, which have aligned with Kinshasa in demanding Rwanda’s withdrawal from DR Congo territory.

Onesphore Sematumba, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, views the swift summit announcement as a positive step. However, he warns against high expectations, noting that securing the participation of all invited leaders – including those from South Africa, Uganda, and Somalia – would already be a diplomatic achievement.

While Kagame has confirmed his attendance, a source close to the Congolese presidency states that Tshisekedi has yet to decide whether to attend in person or join remotely.