Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are set to participate in a summit on Saturday to address the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a Rwanda-backed armed group, M23, continues to advance.
The M23 rebels, bolstered by Rwandan troops, recently seized control of the strategic city of Goma and have signaled their intent to push further toward Kinshasa. In response, Tshisekedi has vowed a strong military counteroffensive and urged international sanctions against Rwanda.
Both leaders are expected to attend a two-day summit of eastern and southern African nations beginning Friday in Tanzania, as announced by Kenya’s presidency. However, they have previously skipped peace negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.
The rapid territorial gains by M23 have worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region, with clashes intensifying and the group now threatening Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. While Bukavu remains calm for now, sources indicate that M23 is regrouping and receiving reinforcements, suggesting imminent fighting.
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting the DRC despite growing domestic pressure to withdraw troops. This follows the deaths of 14 South African soldiers deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission in eastern DRC since 2023.
Ramaphosa stated that the mission would gradually wind down as ceasefire efforts progress. However, tensions between South Africa and Rwanda have flared, with Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo accusing Ramaphosa of prioritizing personal mining interests in the DRC over the safety of his soldiers. Kagame has also criticized South Africa’s military involvement, claiming it supports the DRC government’s fight against its own people.
A UN expert report previously revealed Rwanda’s extensive military presence in the DRC and its control over M23, driven by a desire to exploit valuable mineral resources. Kigali denies these allegations and, in turn, accuses Kinshasa of harboring the FDLR, an armed group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
With regional tensions at an all-time high, the upcoming summit is expected to play a crucial role in determining the next steps in resolving the conflict. Meanwhile, the United States has announced a further reduction of its embassy staff in Kinshasa due to the deteriorating security situation.
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