Leaders from Eastern and Southern African blocs seek solutions to Congo conflict

8/2/2025 15:13

Leaders from Eastern and Southern African regional blocs gather in Tanzania on Saturday to seek a solution to the conflict in eastern Congo, where Rwandan-backed rebels have seized a major city in the worst escalation of fighting in more than a decade.



The M23 rebels last week captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite announcing a unilateral ceasefire, they have continued to march south towards Bukavu in a rapid offensive that has left thousands dead and raised fears of a regional conflagration.



Congo's leader Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, who have exchanged fiery words blaming each other's governments for the upsurge in violence, agreed to attend the summit, although Tshisekedi may call in remotely, sources said.



The Dar es Salaam summit will seek a breakthrough after two peace processes in Luanda and Nairobi have stalled as tensions escalate.



"Given the heightened tensions, immediate priorities are a ceasefire and opening supply routes to facilitate humanitarian access," the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa said in a report on Friday.