East African leaders meet amid ongoing violence in eastern Congo
- East African heads of state recently convened to discuss peace in eastern Congo.
- The summit faced challenges with the absence of key leaders and ongoing violence in the region.
- The meeting concluded with a call for combined regional efforts to address the conflict.
In Arusha, Tanzania, East African leaders gathered for a closed-door summit aimed at addressing the ongoing violence in eastern Congo. With the absence of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and early departure of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the meeting highlighted the challenges facing peace efforts in the region. The summit concluded with a communique emphasizing the need for a combination of regional and broader peace initiatives to achieve sustainable peace in eastern Congo. The situation remains precarious as accusations of ethnic cleansing have been directed at the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group amidst ongoing fighting. The summit featured other prominent leaders from South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia, underscoring the regional complexity of the conflict. Regional leaders are grappling with the implications of military involvement, with the United States and UN experts alleging Rwanda's support for M23, despite its denial. A recent truce brokered in July had temporarily reduced hostilities between Rwandan and Congolese forces, yet violence persists among various militias. The election of William Ruto as chairperson of the East African Community’s Summit reflects a renewed commitment to regional cooperation, although the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.