Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo of Rwanda are set to attend a high-stakes regional summit in Tanzania on February 8. East African and Southern African leaders seek solutions to the escalating crisis in eastern DRC.
The two-day summit, hosted in Dar es Salaam, will bring together the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in a rare joint effort to address security concerns. Ministers from both blocs will meet on February 7 to set the agenda before heads of state convene the following day.
Regional Push for Stability
The meeting was arranged following discussions between SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa, also Zimbabwe’s president, and EAC Chairperson William Ruto, the president of Kenya. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has agreed to host the talks. These talks come at a time of heightened tensions between Rwanda and the DRC over the resurgence of the M23 armed group.
Confirmed attendees include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, among others.
The EAC, composed of Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, has been actively engaged in peace efforts in the region. Meanwhile, SADC—comprising 16 nations, including Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa—has also played a role in addressing security challenges in the DRC.
Rising Tensions and Regional Divisions
At a recent EAC summit, President Kagame attended, while President Tshisekedi instead took part in a separate SADC meeting, highlighting DRC’s dual role in both regional organizations. The upcoming summit is expected to bridge divides and coordinate efforts between the two blocs.
The crisis in eastern DRC has deepened in recent weeks, with the Congolese government and the United Nations accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 armed group. Rwanda has denied these claims. In late January, M23 fighters advanced into Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, seizing key areas of the city and triggering a humanitarian emergency.
According to UN reports, clashes between M23 and the Congolese army from January 26 to 31 resulted in over 700 deaths and 2,800 injuries. President Tshisekedi, in a televised address on January 29, vowed a “vigorous and coordinated response” by the Congolese military to counter the armed group.
Military Gains in South Kivu
Despite M23’s advances, the Congolese army has managed to halt the group’s expansion into South Kivu. Over the weekend, government forces reclaimed the villages of Sanzi, Muganzo, and Mukwidja from rebel control.
The upcoming summit in Tanzania is expected to focus on de-escalating tensions, strengthening regional security mechanisms, and fostering cooperation between EAC and SADC leaders to prevent further instability in the region.
What’s Next?
With key African leaders set to engage in talks, expectations are high for renewed commitments to peace efforts. However, past diplomatic engagements have struggled to contain the violence. This raises concerns about whether this summit will deliver tangible solutions for the millions affected by the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.