07/02/2025

DRC: peace talks on the way?

 

My latest for RFI:

DRC conflict

Regional leaders gather in Tanzania for high-stakes summit on DRC crisis


A joint summit between the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community will take place today and Saturday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi, are both expected to attend.


Members of the M23 rebel group after clashes with the Armed Forces of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in Goma, North Kivu province
in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 30 January 2025. © Arlette Bashizi / Reuters


Both presidents were supposed to meet in December in Angola and sign a peace agreement, but the meeting was cancelled.

 Both parties blamed each other for failed talks as tensions escalated.

A source close to the Congolese presidency said: "From this summit, we expect an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan troops and their auxiliaries, the reopening of Goma airport for humanitarian reasons, and the return of the city to the official administration."

Tina Salama, the spokesperson for Félix Tshisekedi, added, "We also expect severe sanctions against Rwanda." 

The situation is at a "pivotal moment" United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, adding that the conflict "risks engulfing the entire region" and urged the parties to work together for peace.

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Regional leaders gather in Tanzania for high-stakes summit on DRC crisis



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