Heads of State and representatives of governments at the EAC-SADC Joint Summit pose for a group photo.
President Paul Kagame says it is high time the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is held accountable for its failure to deal with the situation in the eastern part of the country, which has escalated into what is becoming a regional war involving many parties and ongoing ethnic violence.
President Paul Kagame has called for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to be held accountable for its failure to address the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country, which has escalated into a regional crisis involving multiple parties and ethnic violence.
Speaking at a joint summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Dar es Salaam, Kagame emphasized the need for the DRC government to engage in political dialogue with warring factions.
The summit aimed to find a solution to the worsening conflict, which has seen the M23 rebel movement seize the city of Goma and threaten further advances until their grievances are addressed.
Kagame criticized the government of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, who attended the meeting virtually, for failing to address security concerns and instead shifting blame. He stressed that Rwanda would not remain silent while its security was at risk, urging the summit to take concrete steps toward lasting peace.
“DRC cannot just tell us to keep quiet when they are mounting a security problem against our country. Nobody can tell us to shut up. We have been begging DRC and its leaders for a long time, we have shared our issues and asked DRC to address them, and they have refused,” President Kagame said, urging the meeting in Dar-es-Salaam to come up with concrete steps that can lead to the restoration of lasting peace.
President Kagame said it is time DRC is held accountable on its role in allowing the conflict to escalate.
“Let us not just have another meeting like the many we have had. We can’t go on forever massaging problems. What is happening there is an ethnic war that has been brewing for a long time, denying people’s rights and then attacking Rwanda. You must recognize people’s rights and take a step and resolve the issue,” President Kagame said.
The Head of State stated that the DRC is entirely responsible for initiating the war and has turned a deaf ear to the concerns it must address if the situation is to return to normal.
“This war was started by DRC and not anything from Rwanda. It was just brought and put on our shoulders and we were told to own it. We can’t own it. There is no question about it,” President Kagame said, reiterating what he has always said, including ongoing ethnic violence that targets Kinyarwanda-speaking Tutsi communities in the country, which is the main reason the M23 is fighting.
The Head of State emphasises that the joint summit must not repeat past meetings where no solutions were reached, largely due to the DRC failing to fulfil its commitments in resolving the conflict.
“Let us use this meeting in a manner that will take all these matters into account seriously, and find a lasting solution,” President Kagame said.
Following the summit, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, stated that the Rwandan government welcomed the resolution from the joint meeting. However, he emphasised that the key issue now is ensuring its proper implementation.
“Rwanda has always been hopeful, at least trying to really understand and see that every moment, every agreement that is signed, every meeting will bring something new. Actually, President Paul Kagame, this morning, has tried to warn the Heads of State that the summit shouldn’t be another meeting. We have had so many meetings. It’s now the time to deliver,” Nduhungirehe said.
President Ruto and President Mnangagwa.
A communique issued after the summit stated that the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, with several heads of state in attendance. These included President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, who also serves as the Chairperson of the EAC; President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, who is also the Chairperson of SADC; host President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania; and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.
Other leaders present were President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of Somalia, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Gervais Ndirakobuca, Prime Minister of Burundi, and Ambassador Téte António, Minister of External Relations of Angola, who represented President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço. In addition, other heads of delegations attended, representing their respective countries.
The Joint Summit expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, which has led to loss of life, a humanitarian crisis, and immense suffering, particularly for women and children. It called on all parties to cease hostilities and implement an immediate ceasefire.
The summit also raised concerns about the escalating crisis, which has included attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies, and staff based in Kinshasa. It urged the Government of the DRC to ensure the protection of lives and property and to uphold long-standing legal and moral principles by respecting peace missions in the DRC, such as MONUSCO and others.
