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January 27, 2025
NAIROBI, KENYA – President William Ruto, Chair of the East African Community, Condemns Ongoing Violence in Eastern Congo, Calls for Renewed Dialogue.
On the evening of Sunday, January 26, 2025, President William Ruto of Kenya, also the current Chair of the East African Community (EAC), issued a powerful statement urging continued dialogue between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in a bid to find a lasting solution to the escalating security crisis in Eastern Congo.
Ruto’s comments came amid growing unrest in the region, where the population of Eastern Congo is grappling with the devastating effects of armed conflict, particularly from the M23 rebel group. He emphasized the severe humanitarian impact of the violence, which is increasingly endangering human rights and destabilizing the region.
“The security issues in Congo continue to violate human rights. These military actions are targeting the innocent people of the region, and peace is nowhere to be found as civilians are left without shelter or safety. The East African Community cannot afford to stand aside; we must find a long-term solution to these challenges,” President Ruto said in his address, reiterating Kenya’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to bring peace to the troubled region.
Ruto revealed that he had reached out to Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi, urging them to prioritize dialogue and act swiftly. He noted the worsening situation, emphasizing that the people of the region had suffered long enough and could not afford further delays in negotiations.
“I urge all parties involved in the Luanda process to listen to the voices of the people in our region who are crying out for peace. We must amplify the voices of those seeking peace and take bold steps toward regional unity,” Ruto added, calling for deeper engagement in the ongoing talks and a lasting resolution to the conflict.
As part of efforts to address the security crisis, Ruto announced that the leaders of East African Community member states would convene within the next 48 hours to discuss concrete measures to ensure peace in Eastern Congo. This call to action comes as fighting continues to rage in Goma, where the M23 rebel group has reportedly seized parts of the city. The M23 has demanded that the FARDC, MONUSCO, and other state-affiliated forces disarm before talks between the government and rebels can continue.
Ruto stressed that the East African Community would continue to play a central role in efforts to resolve the crisis, expressing hope that collaboration with international partners would lead to sustainable peace in the region, which has long been marred by conflict.
