DRC: 23rd Extraordinary Summit of the EAC, President Félix Tshisekedi preferred not to attend
The heads of state from the eight member countries of the East African Community (EAC) convened via videoconference on Friday, June 7, 2024, for the twenty-third extraordinary summit of the regional organization.
A significant topic of discussion was the concerning security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), notably in the absence of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who chose to boycott the meeting.
Sources close to the Congolese presidency suggest that the boycott was a form of protest against the EAC’s lukewarm stance on the conflict in eastern DRC.
Another major point of contention was the recent remarks made by Kenyan President William Ruto, a close ally of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, regarding the nationality of the M23 rebel movement.
Recently, President Ruto, in an interview with “Jeune Afrique”, asserted that the M23 rebels are Congolese, thereby framing the conflict in North Kivu as an internal Congolese crisis.
This statement was perceived as an attempt to downplay Rwanda’s involvement, which has been frequently accused of supporting the M23.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni appears to be more supportive of the DRC, while other EAC leaders remain ambiguous, further complicating the dynamics within the community.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, the current chair of the EAC, faces a significant challenge.
He must first report on his diplomatic mission to Paul Kagame aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Congo-Kinshasa before moving on to other issues.
To recap, the EAC comprises Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Tanzania.
The East African Community is a critical pillar of the African Economic Community, playing a vital role in regional stability and integration.
Gilbert Fotso
