NAIROBI, Jan 27 (NNN-KBC) — Kenyan President William Ruto has convened an extraordinary East African Community (EAC) Summit to address the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ruto, who is also the current Chair of the EAC, said the summit will take place within the next 48 hours and will focus on finding a resolution to the crisis, which has worsened the humanitarian situation leaving vulnerable populations especially women and children in desperate need of aid.
In a statement issued Sunday, the President urged an immediate cessation of hostilities and called on DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to prioritize peace.
He criticized the deteriorating humanitarian conditions including restricted aid access due to the closure of airspace in Goma.
“I call on the parties to the Luanda process on Eastern DRC and appeal to my brothers, President Félix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame; both of whom I have spoken to this evening, to heed the call for peace from the people of our region and the international community,” he urged.
Both Tsishekedi and Kagame have confirmed their participation in the summit.
Ruto also called for greater involvement from the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in brokering a resolution.
“The African Union (AU) must not remain passive in the face of this escalating crisis. The EAC stands ready to forge a stronger collobaroration with the AU and SADC, as well as the international community in encouraging the warring parties to prioritise engagement,” said Ruto. — NNN-KBC
