East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State convened in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on [Date] to discuss the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
EAC Chair, President William Ruto of Kenya, issued a statement ahead of the summit, warning that external actors are undermining efforts to resolve the conflict. Ruto described the international involvement as "cynical and destructive," emphasizing the need for a diplomatic approach to address the root causes of the crisis.
Ruto called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the Congolese government, alongside international and regional actors, to embrace dialogue. He cautioned that a military approach would have far-reaching consequences, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive diplomatic solution that addresses the root causes of the conflict and secures the territorial integrity of the DRC.
The summit was attended by leaders from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi participated virtually, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his foreign minister as his representative.
The United Nations has warned that the situation in the DRC could worsen if violence spreads to other regions.