By Adonis Byemelwa
A joint summit between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been taking place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, since yesterday and today Saturday 8th February 2025.
The gathering brings together key regional leaders, including Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), both of whom are expected to hold high-stakes talks.
These two leaders had initially planned to meet in Angola last December to sign a peace agreement, but the meeting was abruptly canceled amid rising tensions, each side blaming the other for the failure.
The stakes are now even higher, with the DRC pushing for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan troops, and the reopening of Goma airport to facilitate humanitarian aid. There are also calls for the return of Goma under the Congolese administration.
Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Tshisekedi, made it clear that the DRC is also expecting severe sanctions against Rwanda, signaling the extent of frustration with Rwanda’s role in the region.
As the summit unfolds, leaders from across Africa—including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud—are adding their voices to the plea for peace and stability.
They aim to prevent further escalation of the crisis and align their positions on how to address the growing threat in the DRC, which has seen alarming advances by rebel forces, including the notorious M23 group.
For Rwanda, one of the major points of contention is the role of the SADC mission in the DRC. Rwanda has vehemently criticized the presence of this force, calling it offensive and demanding its withdrawal, along with the removal of Burundian troops. Reports of the rebel M23 making significant strides towards Bukavu have fueled panic across the region.
The situation is dire—thousands are displaced in Goma, and vital infrastructure has been destroyed. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, schools have shut down, and the community’s essential services are in complete disarray. This crisis, compounded by the relentless rebel movements, has placed not only the DRC in peril but also threatened the peace and stability of the wider Great Lakes region.
The roots of the conflict go deep. Rwanda’s role in the DRC, particularly with the M23 group, has been a subject of fierce debate. Some critics argue that the M23 rebels are nothing but a front for Rwandan military interests, a claim that Rwanda fiercely denies.
Kigali asserts that it is the Congolese government’s failure to engage in meaningful dialogue with its citizens that has given rise to the M23. In this volatile atmosphere, Kagame’s government is attempting to shift blame, presenting itself as a protector of peace, all while downplaying its involvement in regional instability.
Some point out the striking similarities between Kagame's tactics and those of Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime, particularly in the way both leaders manipulate public opinion by repeating lies until they become widely accepted truths.
Kagame, like Hitler before him, has made a calculated effort to repeat falsehoods about Rwanda’s innocence in the DRC conflict.
While Kagame's government has attempted to disassociate itself from the actions of the M23 rebels, the Congolese government and the international community remain skeptical, citing overwhelming evidence of Rwandan support for the rebel group.
M23 fighters are often described as having been trained and equipped by Rwanda’s military, further complicating the situation. The pressing question remains: How can peace be achieved when one of the central players continues to deny its role in the crisis?
The summit in Dar es Salaam represents a crucial opportunity for leaders to press for a ceasefire and open the door to negotiations, but it is unclear whether Kagame and Tshisekedi will find common ground or if the summit will collapse under the weight of mutual distrust.
One of the most poignant aspects of this crisis is the suffering of the Congolese people. Thousands have died in the violence that has plagued the DRC for years, and entire communities have been displaced.
The UN estimates that nearly 2,800 people have died in Goma alone, with the humanitarian situation continuing to deteriorate. For the people of Goma, the promise of a ceasefire and the reopening of the city to its official administration is more than a political issue—it is a matter of survival.
With hospitals overwhelmed, essential services disrupted, and a general sense of fear and hopelessness hanging over the region, the DRC’s future is uncertain. The international community has condemned the violence, but only concerted regional leadership can truly bring about lasting peace.
As the summit progresses, it will be critical for the leaders of the EAC and SADC to demonstrate not only diplomatic resolve but also the ability to hold Rwanda accountable for its actions.
The demands for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the DRC and the imposition of sanctions are part of a broader effort to ensure that Rwanda respects the sovereignty of its neighbors.
At the same time, the summit must address the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region, as Rwanda’s actions could have far-reaching consequences for regional security.
If Kagame’s expansionist ambitions go unchecked, they may set a dangerous precedent for other African nations, with potentially disastrous consequences for stability in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
Despite the challenges, the EAC and SADC leaders must stand firm in their commitment to peace and unity. The DRC’s territorial integrity is not just a matter of national importance—it is a matter of continental significance.
The OAU’s founding principles, which were established in 1963, specifically prohibit any changes to national borders. Kagame’s attempts to carve out a piece of the DRC for Rwanda’s benefit are not only a violation of international law but also a threat to the stability of the entire region.
This ambition cannot be allowed to go unchallenged, and it is up to the African Union and regional organizations like the EAC and SADC to hold accountable any government that seeks to undermine the sovereignty of its neighbors.
The leaders of these regional organizations have a pivotal role to play in shaping the outcome of this summit. Their strength will be tested not only by their ability to push for an immediate ceasefire but also by their willingness to hold Rwanda accountable for its actions.
The eyes of the world are on Dar es Salaam, and the decisions made in the coming days will have a lasting impact on the future of the DRC, Rwanda, and the broader region. If the summit fails to deliver a concrete peace plan, the consequences for the people of the DRC—and regional stability—could be catastrophic.
In the face of mounting tensions and a fragile security situation, the leaders of the EAC and SADC must rise to the occasion. Their ability to take decisive action will determine whether the Great Lakes region moves closer to peace or plunges further into conflict. The time for words is over; what is needed now is a bold, united response to the crisis in the DRC.
Whether the summit succeeds in its mission or not will depend on the collective resolve of African leaders to confront the challenges head-on and prioritize the welfare of their people over political maneuvering. Only then can they hope to break the cycle of violence and set the stage for lasting peace in the region.
