Crisis in Eastern Congo: Will Dar es-Salaam Silence the Guns?

9th February 2025

2 minutes read

Crisis in Eastern Congo: Will Dar es-Salaam Silence the Guns?

All eyes are on Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania, where leaders from East and Southern Africa’s regional blocs are meeting to discuss a solution to the conflict in Eastern Congo.

Last week, the rebels of the “M23” movement, after fierce battles with the army, seized Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province and the largest city in Eastern Congo, in the worst escalation of fighting in more than a decade.

Despite a unilateral ceasefire announcement, the rebels continued their advance southward toward Bukavu, in a swift attack that left thousands dead and raised fears of a regional war.

Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province, is bracing for an assault, while the United Nations agreed on Friday to launch an investigation into potential human rights violations in the region.

In this context, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are set to attend an exceptional regional summit in Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania, on Saturday, bringing together the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community.

A source stated that the two presidents, who have exchanged blame for the escalation of violence, have agreed to attend the summit, with Tshisekedi possibly participating remotely via the internet.

The Dar es-Salaam summit will aim to make progress after the failure of peace efforts in Luanda and Nairobi amid rising tensions.

In a report released on Friday, the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa stated that “given the escalating tensions, the urgent priorities are a ceasefire and the opening of supply routes to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.”

Over the past month, the “M23” movement has expanded its control over coltan, gold, and tin ore mines in the North Kivu province, leading to the displacement of thousands in one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

A “Golden Opportunity”

Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi stated on Friday, on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting at the summit: “We have a golden opportunity, we, the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, to help the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The minister called for the integration of the two peace processes initiated by Kenya and Angola.

Meanwhile, Kinshasa is urging the international community to impose sanctions on Kigali.

The ongoing conflict, which has lasted for over three years, has seen rapid developments in recent weeks, culminating in the recent capture of Goma by “M23” rebels.

The neighboring South Kivu province is now under fire from the armed rebel movement, which faces the Congolese army, known for its poor training and widespread corruption within its ranks.

This comes as the United Nations Human Rights Council gave the green light on Friday to an investigation into violations committed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following the rebels’ swift attack.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, is set to swiftly form a “fact-finding mission” and will have to present a full report by September.