In a historic move to address the escalating crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) convened a joint summit on February 8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The summit culminated in a unified call for direct negotiations with all parties involved, including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, to foster a peaceful resolution.

The M23 rebels’ recent capture of Goma, eastern DRC’s largest city, marked a significant escalation in the conflict, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands. Despite a declared unilateral ceasefire, the rebels have continued their advance southward toward Bukavu, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized the necessity of dialogue over military action, stating, “We must resist the temptation to think that we can somehow shoot or bombard our way to a solution.” Rwandan President Paul Kagame, among the eight heads of state in attendance, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of direct engagement with the rebels.

The summit’s communique also called for the withdrawal of “uninvited foreign armed forces from the territory of the DRC,” reaffirming the leaders’ commitment to respecting Congolese sovereignty. This directive aims to reduce external interference and promote a Congolese-led resolution to the conflict.

As the situation remains fluid, the international community closely monitors the DRC’s response to these diplomatic overtures. The collective stance of African leaders underscores a regional commitment to peace and stability through dialogue, offering a glimmer of hope for a resolution to the protracted conflict.